Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has denied claims of having plans to cancel the free SHS policy.
The politician clarified that his only plans are to improve the free SHS policy, upgrading the educational and nutritional needs of students.
At a campaign rally, John Dramani Mahama clearly stated, “Free SHS is not going anywhere, it has come to stay. If Anyone says when the NDC comes they will cancel free SHS, tell the person I John Mahama came to you and said it is all a lie. NDC will rather come and fix the free shs and make it beneficial to parents, students and all stakeholders.”
With balanced and nutritional diets lacking in the free SHS programme, being a monumental challenge to students and teachers alike, John Mahama pledge to introduce a new system where the school purchases its own food items.
“The food being served under the free SHS policy is bad. In the morning they boil warm water and give them (students) one sugar cube. Students do not get any milk or bread. If you feed the child like that what can he learn in class? They eat rice for long periods and when the rice is finished then they bring maize and they eat maize for very long periods as well. So now, instead of buying the food for the schools, we’ll rather give the money to the schools to buy their own food to cook,” he added.
There have been several claims of tùhe NDC planning to cancel the free SHS policy when voted to power in the December 7, 2024 general elections. John Dramani has been alleged to have made this vow which he (Mahama) has denied on countless occasions.