Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has denied allegations that he plans to cancel the free senior high school (SHS) programme if re-elected. Addressing clergy members in Kumasi on Monday, November 11, Mahama dismissed the claims as “political gimmicks.”

“There is no truth in that; it is just a political gimmick. Free SHS has come to stay,” he stated.

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has previously accused Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) of intending to end the programme, which was launched to provide free secondary education across Ghana.

Mahama, however, explained that the NDC’s goal is to strengthen and enhance the initiative. He outlined plans to establish a dedicated funding source, which he says will ensure the programme is reliably financed.

“We are going to set up a dedicated source of funding, so that anytime there is a need for money, we go to that fund to keep it running,” he said.

The former president also pledged to alter the current funding structure, allowing schools direct access to funds for procuring their own food supplies, which he believes would improve quality.

Additionally, Mahama hinted at plans to expand the free SHS programme to cover private schools as well to make it accessible to more students across the country.

Source:TheDotNews