Editor of the Ghanaian Publisher Newspaper, Yaw Obeng Manu, has applauded the Government for its commitment to implementing the Free SHS policy which had over the years been met with a lot of skepticism.
In the special ‘Editor’s Take’ session on the Happy Morning Show with the theme ‘Evaluating the NPP’s 2016 Manifesto (Promises, Achievements and Outstandings), Yaw Obeng Manu, was of the view that the Free SHS policy was a major factor in the NPP’s 2016 election win.
According to him, many had contended with Nana Addo’s promise of a free SHS since 2008. Nonetheless, the NPP Government has been able to implement the policy to the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“The 2008 Free SHS promise was welcomed with a lot of doubts. Some within the NPP were of the view that the policy was too ambitious. In 2012, it was the same promise and at the time the NDC had to do a counter advert just to discredit the promise. In 2016, Nana Akufo-Addo retained the free SHS promise. After he was voted into power, it was obvious that the implementation will be difficult. This was because it was expected that its implementation will be costly.
Fortunate for us as a people, the Free SHS is a major thing he has been able to implement”.
The Ghanaian Publisher Newspaper editor posited that one way the development of a country could be ensured was through a policy that benefits not only a particular group of people but the whole country.
In this regard, he admired the NPP Government for implementing the Free SHS which according to him, “has benefited Ghanaians and will contribute to Ghana’s development if it continues”.
The Free SHS policy is a flagship program introduced by the ruling New Patriotic Party to remove cost barriers through the absorption of fees approved by the GES council while improving quality and equity in the education system through the provision of textbooks, among other things.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
