‘Over 5.7 Million Students Have Benefited From Free SHS’ – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo proudly highlighted that over 5.7 million students have benefited from the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, a policy introduced in 2017 to expand access to secondary education. Speaking during his final State of the Nation Address on January 3, 2024, the President emphasized the transformative impact of the program, stating, “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 not have otherwise had the opportunity but for Free SHS.”

Akufo-Addo pointed out that many of these students would not have had access to secondary education without the program. Since the first cohort of Free SHS students took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2020, Ghana has consistently recorded over 50% of candidates achieving A1 to C6 in all core subjects. Notably, Mathematics pass rates have improved significantly, rising from 33.12% in 2016 to 66.86% in 2024.

Beyond academic achievements, the President highlighted efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). His administration has established 34 new TVET institutions and upgraded 62 existing ones to ensure students acquire 21st-century skills and improve technical education’s appeal and accessibility.

Reflecting on his decision to implement Free SHS at the beginning of his first term, President Akufo-Addo remarked, “I’m proud that we were brave enough to start the Free SHS policy at the beginning of my first term and resisted the call for a gradual introduction.” He added, “We’ve removed from the Ghanaian mindset the belief that secondary school education is only for people from certain households and families.”

As his tenure comes to an end, Akufo-Addo leaves behind a legacy of educational reform that has not only expanded access to secondary education but also laid a solid foundation for future generations to thrive. The Free SHS initiative stands as a testament to his administration’s commitment to transforming education in Ghana.