Free SHS: A Nation That Doesn’t Prioritize Education Is Bound To Fail – NAPO  | Education

NPP Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has reminded Ghanaians of the need to retain the ruling party by voting for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the December 7 polls.

Delivering a speech at the University of Memphis in the United States on Friday, October 18, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly called “NAPO”, underscored the innumerable benefits of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration’s flagship programme dubbed “Free SHS” stressing “a nation that does not prioritize education and plan for its certain outcomes is bound to fail”.

He stated that the Free SHS which he described in a recent interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show as the “single biggest transformational tool” since Ghana’s independence has indeed widened access to quality education for every Ghanaian child at the secondary level.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, within a year of implementing this policy, the 35% rate of students failing to take up their place had halved to about 17%. In fact, the overwhelming demand led to the introduction of the Double Track system in 2018 for over 400 of our 721 Senior High School (SHS) institutions to accommodate the additional students. Today, over 5 million children have benefited from this bold programme, with the enrollment transition rate in the Northern regions reaching an impressive 98% from what we inherited of about 85% whereas that of the southern regions has increased from 62% to 84%. 

“The Northern figures are always on the high side because that is where free education started from and as I always say, it is good for our country.  Many of the 140 Ghanaian students currently studying here at this great institution benefited from the Free SHS programme, and some may not have made it this far without it. For us in the NPP, this is the essence of governance”, he established.

He added; “By focusing on these pillars, I can confidently say, by the grace of God, we have achieved outstanding results. In the first Free SHS cohort, 411 out of 465 students who earned 8 A1s across all subjects in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were from Ghana, topping the charts in West Africa—the highest performance ever in WASSCE history. The top three candidates were also from Ghana.”

He expressed optimism that the Ghanaian electorates will give Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the mandate to lead the nation in 2025.

“Ghana has become a stellar example in Africa, investing heavily in expanding access to quality education. This is a legacy I am proud to have contributed to as a former Minister for Education. I firmly believe that public service is about improving the lives of one’s people, a creed I hold dear and have followed throughout my nearly 16 years as Member of Parliament.

“…Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have had a wonderful time here at the University of Memphis. Although my visit has been brief, I leave with fond memories. I believe I will return soon, by the grace of God, as the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. We do this not only for ourselves but for generations yet unborn.”

Read full statement below: