President John Dramani Mahama delivering his SONA in January 2025
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the government will not cancel the Free Senior High School program initiated by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government in 2017.
Delivering the first State of the Nation Address of his second term on Thursday, February 27, 2025, he stressed that his government would rather enhance the program by addressing the current challenges.
“Mr Speaker, let me repeat it once again. I, John Dramani Mahama, will not cancel the Free SHS Programme. I will rather make it better from the implementation problems that it has been facing,” he stated.
He assured parents and students that his administration was dedicated to enhancing the quality of education and ensuring that the programme serves the best interests of Ghanaian students.
President Mahama criticised the previous administration for mismanaging the initiative, arguing that the number of beneficiaries had been inflated for political gain.
He noted that this had put immense pressure on the education system, leading to overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient teaching resources.
He reiterated his vision of making Free SHS more effective by addressing its shortcomings and implementing reforms that would enhance access, quality, and sustainability.
“Our focus is to improve learning conditions, provide adequate resources, and ensure that students receive the best education possible,” he stressed.
Background:
President Mahama’s address, which is in line with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, and which is expected to outline his ambitious “Resetting Ghana” agenda, aims at tackling economic challenges, creating jobs, and restoring stability.
In his address, the president is expected to touch on key areas of his government’s policy objectives.
He is also expected to provide updates on the state of Ghana’s economy, including the ongoing IMF bailout program, security, and the cost of living, among other issues.
Additionally, he will update Ghanaians on deliverables for the year ahead, as well as the achievements of his government so far and the challenges that lie ahead.
JKB/EK
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