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The Omanhene of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, has criticised the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, describing it as poorly handled and a major contributor to teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
According to the Paramount Chief, weaknesses in the rollout and management of the policy exposed many beneficiaries particularly female students to social challenges that led to pregnancies and forced withdrawals from school in several communities across Ghana, including areas under his traditional authority.
He made these remarks while speaking at the launch of the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone in the Gomoa Central District, where he openly faulted former President Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP government for what he described as an “abysmal” handling of the Free SHS programme.
Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II said the situation resulted in many teenage girls becoming pregnant and, in some cases, being pushed into early marriages, ultimately cutting short their education.
The Gomoa Akyempim Omanhene appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to refine and strengthen the Free SHS policy to make it more attractive and effective for all Ghanaians, expressing confidence in the president’s ability to improve upon the initiative.
He also praised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration for what he described as positive economic management, commending Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, for efforts to stabilise the cedi against the dollar.
The chief further predicted that the cedi could strengthen significantly, projecting that the dollar could fall to GH¢5 by the end of 2026 if current economic measures are sustained.
Dismissing claims that President Mahama would scrap the Free SHS policy, Obrifo Ahunako said the NDC is instead focused on improving it, adding that students are now enjoying better feeding conditions, including the provision of eggs daily an initiative he said was unprecedented in Ghana’s education history.
He urged Ghanaians to support and pray for the Mahama-led administration to continue delivering on its promises.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/YawBoagyan
