Government Has Spent GH¢114.5 Billion On Education Since 2017

The Member of Parliament for Suhum constituency , Oboafo Kwadjo Asante, has stated that the Akufo-Addo-led government has invested over GH¢114.5 billion in the educational sector since 2017.

He mentioned that GH¢12.96 billion was allocated to senior high schools across the country. He emphasized that the government’s investments extended to various aspects of education, including infrastructure, teaching and learning initiatives, and the school feeding program, resulting in higher literacy rates in Ghana and the Suhum Constituency.

Government Has Spent GH¢114.5 Billion On Education Since 2017

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Addressing attendees at the Suhum-Okroase Odwira Festival, MP Oboafo Kwadjo Asante highlighted that the student population in senior high schools increased from 830,000 when President Akuffo Addo assumed office to 1.4 million students due to the Free SHS Policy. He underlined the commitment of the NPP government to ensuring every child’s access to quality education, aiming to transform lives and boost economic growth.

Oboafo Asante also reflected on the challenges Ghana faced before the introduction of the Free SHS program. He pointed out that, prior to this initiative, around 100,000 qualified students couldn’t attend Senior High School due to financial constraints.

Encouraging the youth, he urged them to invest their time and resources in education, prioritizing it over temporary pleasures in life.

Furthermore, Oboafo Asante shared plans for the community, including the construction of six-unit ultra-modern toilet facilities with Mechanized Boreholes at various schools.

In addition, he pledged to address the challenges in the community gradually. The Chief of Suhum-Okorase, Barima Amoako Kokora Boame, praised Oboafo Asante for supporting local schools with 50 desks and educational materials. He also called for unity among parliamentary aspirants as the 2024 general elections approached.

The Free Senior High School (Free SHS) education policy in Ghana was a government initiative introduced during the presidential administration of Nana Akufo-Addo in September 2017.

This policy had its origins in President Akufo-Addo’s campaign during Ghana’s 2016 election period and has since become a cornerstone of the country’s educational system.

The primary principles of the policy, namely, access, equity, and equality, align with the United Nations’ modified Sustainable Development Goals. Member countries, including Ghana, have adopted these principles in their educational systems to ensure quality learning experiences for students.

Various politicians and social workers are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the policy’s effectiveness, efficiency, and continued improvement. These leaders come from diverse government departments, including Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Education.