By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that the introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs is unquestionably successful, leaving no room for debate.
Delivering his State of the Nation address on Friday, January 3, 2025, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo boldly highlighted the Free Senior High School (SHS) program as a major achievement, despite numerous complaints about the destructive effects of galamsey.
“If arguments still rage over what there is to show for the fight against Galamsey and the effects of irresponsible mining, there can be no such arguments about the introduction of the Free SHS and Free TVET programs,” he asserted.
He emphasized that the Free SHS and TVET programs have transformed Ghana’s education landscape, providing access to secondary education for over 5.7 million young people. “We have transformed education, and there can never be a reversal of the fact that some 5.7 million young people have gained access to secondary education who would otherwise not have had the opportunity but for Free SHS and Free TVET,” the President noted.
President Akufo-Addo expressed pride in his administration’s bravery in implementing the Free SHS policy, despite initial resistance. “I am proud that we were brave enough to start the Free SHS policy at the beginning of my first term and resisted the calls for a gradual introduction,” he said.
The President also highlighted the significant improvement in pass rates for core subjects, citing the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. “From 2020, when the first cohort of Free SHS candidates sat for the WASSCE, Ghana has consistently recorded over 50% of candidates scoring A1 to C6 in all four core subjects,” he said.
The President’s emphasis on education aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Ghana’s progress in this area serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating the potential for transformative education policies to drive positive change.
As President Akufo-Addo concludes his term, his administration’s legacy in education is clear. The Free SHS and TVET programs have expanded access to education, improved its quality, and enhanced the employability of Ghana’s youth. These initiatives will undoubtedly continue to shape Ghana’s education landscape for years to come.
