The Free Senior High School Policy Was Not Rushed – Fiifi Boafo
Fiifi Boafo, the Director of Communications for the Vice Presidential Candidate Mathew Oppku Prempeh for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has defended the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, emphasizing that its implementation was a critical and time-sensitive decision rather than a rushed one.
“We could not wait to implement this policy because every one-day delay had repercussions. The destinies of bright children and future breadwinners of every home would be delayed,” he said
Furthermore, he cited a success story of a student from Sunhum, whose life has been transformed by the Free SHS program. The student, after benefiting from the policy, went on to study in the United Kingdom and is now at Imperial College London, the alma mater of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Hon. Boafo noted that the student’s parents often commend the NPP government for this opportunity showing the tangible impact of the policy.
Responding to criticisms about the quality of food provided to SHS students under the policy, he acknowledged that such complaints are not new. “We’ve all been in SHS before, and the food was not always excellent even when school fees were being paid.
Senior high school food has never been comparable to home-cooked meals,” he argued and dismissed claims that the Free SHS program is responsible for the current food standards. This situation is consistent with past experiences. He lamented.
On the issue of food availability raised by the show’s host, Kwame Owusu Dankwah KOD for short, Hon. Boafo reassured listeners that there are no shortages. “If someone doesn’t like you, no matter what you do, they will not appreciate it.” He remarked,
He acknowledges that Free SHS has not solved all of Ghana’s challenges, but the program has made significant impacts on improving access to education.
He urged Ghanaians to allow the NPP government to continue refining the policy, saying, “The mandate should be given to the same government that started the initiative, not to someone who does not understand the policy.” He concluded.
Story by Precious Oforiwaa Agyei
