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Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s unwavering commitment to sustaining and enhancing the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, with a strong emphasis on augmenting funding and quality.
Speaking at the 66th anniversary celebration of Swedru Secondary School on Saturday, March 22, Dr. Forson announced plans to amend the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act, allocating a specific portion of the fund to support Free SHS.
“Nananom, the Free SHS Policy has come to stay. Free Senior High School has come to stay.
President John Dramani Mahama said I should tell you that free education, Free SHS has come to stay,” Dr. Forson declared, echoing President Mahama’s assurance that the policy is irreversible.
Dr. Forson acknowledged the two major challenges affecting the programme’s implementation: sustainability and quality.
He assured that the government is taking concrete steps to address these challenges, ensuring adequate funds for student accommodation, logistics, and feeding.
“The government would ensure that the funds for the accommodation, logistics, and feeding of students. President said I should inform you that the arrears owed to the Ghana Education Trust Fund for the past 8 years have been paid, as stated in the 2025 budget,” he stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Forson disclosed that the 2025 allocation for GETFund stands at GHC4.1 billion, with an additional GHC9 billion expected this year. He assured that amendments to the GETFund Act would prevent future diversions of funds, ensuring sustained support for Free SHS.
“The 2025 allocation for Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is GHC4.1 billion, and this year, it will receive GHC9 billion. We will amend the Ghana Education Trust Fund Act to prevent the government from diverting these funds, ensuring that a portion is used specifically for Free SHS.”
Additionally, Dr. Forson assured parents and students that food supplies in schools would undergo significant improvements under the new administration. “Parents, students, President Mahama said I should assure you that the feed will improve this time round.”
Story by Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
