Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern about the investment of GH¢2 billion by the government in Senior High School (SHS) (Free Senior High School) alone in the second semester to the detriment of other sectors of the economy.
He described the over-concentration of funds on the SHS, in defiance of wise counsel from the academia and stakeholders, as a move that had the tendency to negatively affect education and collapse the sector.
President Mahama was addressing a packed audience of lecturers and students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on “the State of Education in Ghana Today” last Thursday.
The occasion was also graced by National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwarts such as the National Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; former Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah; former Security Coordinator, Mr Kofi Totobi Quakye, as well as party executives and faithful.
Ad hoc approach
President Mahama said taking cognisance of the importance of education to the nation’s socio-economic development and the dictates of the 1992 Constitution, his government decided to take all segments of education seriously, adding that the current “ad hoc approach to education will collapse the system”.
He said the populist and not-thought-through policy of the government had “depleted the GETFund of all funds”, thereby mounting intense pressure on other sectors of education.
“The huge influx of pupils into the SHS and the tertiary institutions, as a result of not preparing adequately, will invariably affect the development of those areas,” he added.
In view of such developments, former President Mahama said he would, in consultation with all stakeholders, review the Free SHS policy within three months when voted again into power.
“When I become President, in the first to three months, we will hold stakeholder, roundtable discussions and come up with a consensus, so we will not toy with the future of the country,” he said.
On ending the double track in September as announced by the government, Mr Mahama expressed his reservations about the fruition of that announcement, since the actions on the ground did not support that claim.
Source: Graphic.com
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You could not propose any solution to the free SHS. You are now waiting to be voted to power before you organise Stakeholders meeting on SHS education. You don't seemed to be serious. You are truly a visionless leader indeed.
Can you imagine? What a shock?. Ha I don't understand. Government over concerntration in the SHS means tomorrow will be better. In the USA and else where developed. Without SHS even basketball you can't join as a professional. And now we are on track and he is saying what?. Please tell him to turn back and take a look at his colleagues from childhood who didn't get SHS and how they are fairing today . Education us the key and if you are not happy it shows the kind if former president you're. Greedy. Chakai. God save Ghana.
God help us for not allowing our formal president to ascend to to the presidency again because he will spoil the free education for us.What social intervention did he bring to us when was the president been the president of a social Democratic Party.
Who is deceiving this rejected king that he is coming back. I suspect Asiedu Nketiah. Please, Mahama let me tell you the truth, your reign was abysmal and that is why Ghanaians threw you out of the window. The corruption was too much under your reign. You are surely not coming back for anything than to steal.
HAHAHAHA OPANA CONFUSE. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A SOLUTION BUT ABOUT TO CONSULT STAKEHOLDERS?? OGA, THIS MEANS YOU ARE NOT A VISIONARY LEADER. NANA SAID HE WILL DO AND DID IT. SO TELL US HOW AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO AND NOT TO VOTE FOR YOU BEFORE YOU START THINKING.
In your era you did not invest so much in education but still did nothing to the other sectors apart from create looot and share. Why is the free SHS hunting you like this. Dont the roads you put on your green book claiming you have done detoriorate with you to oposition. Lies,lies and lies will not help. Thank God you are around to see proper road.
Mr Manama, I the beginning you said Nana Addo can't do. Now Nana is on course and you the same person is complaining. Nana don't need to consult you please.
Who will vote for you to come and hold stakeholders' conference on someone's brain child. You have shown Ghana the best you can do already and we thank you for that. Be satisfied with what you have and let Ghana move forward.