"We have transformed education in Ghana with Free SHS" – President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded his administration’s transformational impact on Ghana’s education sector, emphasizing the success of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

Speaking at his final State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Friday, the President highlighted the substantial gains achieved under the policy, which has expanded access to secondary education for millions of Ghanaian children.

“Some 5.7 million children have gained access to secondary education who would otherwise not have had the opportunity but for Free SHS and Free TVET,” he stated.

“I am proud that we were brave enough to start a Free SHS policy at the beginning of my first term and resisted the calls for a gradual introduction.”

President Akufo-Addo noted that the initiative has removed the entrenched belief that secondary education is reserved for only privileged households, significantly enhancing inclusivity in education.

He further emphasized his administration’s focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), revealing that 34 new TVET institutions have been established, while 62 existing ones have been upgraded.

"This investment equips our youth with 21st-century skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,” he added.

The President also highlighted the academic performance of students under the Free SHS policy, pointing to consistent improvements in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.

From 2020, when the first cohort of Free SHS candidates sat for the WASSCE, over 50% of candidates have consistently scored A1 to C6 in all four core subjects.

“In 2016, only 51.6% of candidates achieved A1 to C6 in English. By 2024, this number had risen significantly to 69.52%. This marks a stark improvement compared to the years prior,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo commended the bold decisions his administration made to prioritize education, noting that these policies have left a lasting impact on Ghana’s future generations.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith