Free SHS: Only 3.4 Million Students Have Benefited, Not 5.1 Million – Mahama Slams Akufo-Addo Government
President challenges previous government’s figures, vows to improve Free SHS implementation
- Mahama reassures Ghanaians of his commitment to the policy
- Says 3.4 million students, not 5.1 million as claimed by the previous government.
- Promises to eliminate the double-track system and review the kindergarten and primary curriculum.
President John Dramani Mahama has strongly disputed the Akufo-Addo government’s claim that 5.1 million students have benefited from the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, stating that the actual figure is around 3.4 million.
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, once again, for emphasis and for the records, I, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will not cancel the Free SHS program. I will not cancel the Free SHS program.”
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term on Thursday, February 27, in Parliament, he assured Ghanaians that his administration remains committed to the policy and aims to improve its implementation.
Mahama described the 5.1 million beneficiary figure put out by the previous government as “exaggerated and a false narrative calculated to achieve political credit.”
“And also, for the records, students who have benefited from the policy since its introduction are about 3.4 million. The figure of 5.1 million beneficiaries, as put out by the previous government, was exaggerated and a false narrative calculated to achieve political credit.”
He further noted that the double-track system remains a challenge and promised to eliminate it by accelerating school infrastructure expansion and completing stalled educational projects.
Additionally, President Mahama announced that the kindergarten and primary school curriculum will be reviewed as part of his administration’s broader education reforms.
