Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has thrown government support fully behind the free SHS program despite challenges and criticism, indicating it will continue to be in existence.
Speaking at the centenary launch of Accra High School, the Vice President said the government would continue to streamline and improve the program to raise its level and bring it in line with the free education programs of more developed economies.
Dr Bawumia said the policy is crucial for the development of future generations equipped to handle the challenges of a new industrial revolution, adding “we cannot really afford to disappoint the future leaders of our country,”
Dr Bawumia said: “Government is undaunted, and will continue to work hard to fulfill this promise to the people of Ghana. We cannot really afford to disappoint the youth and the future leaders of our country,”
Bawummia said the policy has worked out well so far and went ahead to list some of its achievements.
“So far so good, the Free SHS and the Free TVET are benefitting tens and thousands of many Ghanaian young children and alleviating the burdens of families. As a result of Free SHS, more girls have enrolled and there is now significant gender parity in the enrollment of Free SHS,” he said.
Speaking further, the Vice President said despite numerous challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19, the government has done its best to put in place good policies for the good of Ghanaians but people tend to forget the good and focus only on the bad.
“In spite of the economic challenges, which is as a result of factors including covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, many people turn to forget the many good things our government has done, which are making a significant impact,” Dr Bawumia said.
He added, “We have achieved many significant things, which are firsts in the history of our country.”
Bawumia listed the government’s historic achievements including free water and electricity to Ghanaians during the peak of the covid-19 pandemic, the establishment of over 100 factories under 1D1F, delivery of essential medical supplies to remote areas through drones, NHIS covering cost of children with cancer, investment and focus on digitization, which have ensured the issuance of the Ghana card to over 16 million Ghanaians, mobile money interoperability, e-pharmacy, expansion of Ghanaians with tax identification numbers from 4% to over 80%, as well as digitization of government services such as the DVLA, passports, paperless system at the ports, among many others.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com
