In a recent address at the Young Commons Forum hosted at the University of Cape Coast, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, emphasized the monumental significance of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) initiative introduced during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He characterized this program as the most substantial social reform in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, reshaping the educational landscape since its inception.
Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the ongoing debates surrounding the Free SHS policy but asserted that its contributions to enhancing educational access are irrefutable. The Effutu Member of Parliament highlighted that this initiative has been pivotal in enabling students who previously faced financial barriers to gain entry into secondary education.
He remarked, “Although there may be vocal critics of the Free SHS, its impact is undeniably profound, making it a key legacy of the Akufo-Addo government. This program has created new opportunities for countless families, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds. By eliminating financial constraints at the secondary level, it has significantly broadened educational access for many students who would otherwise have been denied a chance at high school education.”
Launched in 2017 shortly after Akufo-Addo took office, the Free SHS program aims to address disparities in educational access and foster a more skilled workforce. Since its rollout, the initiative has facilitated the enrollment of hundreds of thousands of students across the nation, fundamentally altering participation in secondary education and becoming one of the administration’s hallmark efforts.
