The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo says the NPP has not abandoned its free Senior High School education SHS proposal despites moves by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to implement it.
Nana Akufo-Addo has assured that the policy still remains a priority for the party if it wins the December polls.
The NDC government has in place the Progressively Free SHS policy and President John Mahama has also announced that his government would be expanding the Progressively Free SHS policy to cover boarding students in deprived districts.
But speaking at a mammoth rally at Bukom Square in the Odododiodoo constituency on Tuesday, Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his party’s commitment to its marquee promise from the ultimately unsuccessful 2012 presidential race.
He said, “we must find a way to ensure that all children go to school. Poverty should not be a hindrance at all. That is why the free SHS policy is still a priority for us in the NPP. Every child must be given the opportunity to go to school. That is why I am saying when I come, the free SHS is coming.”
Nana Akufo-Addo also reminded of the people of the NPP’s manifesto promise to construct a fishing habour for the people of James town if elected into power.
“In our manifesto, we have said we are going to construct a harbor and a landing site at Jamestown and god willing if I come, that will be done.”
Nana Addo
The NPP 2016 manifesto is focused on industrialisation and job creation but ahead of the 2012 elections, the NPP campaign was anchored on free Secondary Education policy promise.
The NPP it its 2012 manifesto held that Ghana’s education system was in serious crisis hence the promise.
The NPP said it was committed to making secondary education free for every Ghanaian child and that would encompass free tuition, admission, textbook, library, science centre, computer, examination, utilities, boarding and meals.