PPP heads to Supreme Court for interpretation, enforcement of free SHS policy

The Progressive People's Party (PPP) says it has instructed its lawyers to make an application to the Supreme Court for an interpretation and enforcement of Article 38 (2) of the 1992 Constitution on the policy of Free, Compulsory, and Universal Basic Education since the period of compulsory implementation has long elapsed.

According to Article 38 (2) “The Government shall, within two years after Parliament first meets after the coming into force of this Constitution, draw up a programme for implementation within the following ten years, for the provision of free, compulsory and universal basic education.

The party is also displeased with recent statements by the Minister of information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga, on the matter.

The Progressive People's Party says it is shocked and dismayed at the "misinformation" by the Minister for Information, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, when he said on Joy FM News analysis programme 'Newsfile' that it was Nana Akuffo-Addo who promised free, compulsory, and universal basic education as contained in the 1992 Constitution.

"We cannot allow this deliberate mischief by the Minister to pass without comment", says the party.

"For the record, it was the PPP that campaigned vigorously to implement Article 38 (2) of the 1992 Constitution. We stated in our political platform that the PPP will 'Ensure free and compulsory education in public schools from kindergarten to Senior High School (including computer training). We will deploy an Education Police to enforce the compulsory aspect of our policy'", a statement from the party's national secretariat said.

The party's National Secretary is certain the New Patriotic Party (NPP) never stated that they would pursue a policy of compulsory and universal basic education let alone “extend the policy to the Senior High School”.

 "It is regrettable that the Minister of Information does not even know the policy options of the political parties in Ghana as far as the 2012 Presidential Elections were concerned" the party bemoaned.

"The Minister should cross-check his facts and set the records straight with an apology for misinforming Ghanaians", the PPP advised.

The Progressive People's Party claims both the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have failed to comply with a basic constitutional requirement on compulsory basic education for Ghanaians.

"Any attempt to play political game with the future of our children will be resisted by the Progressive People's Party", the statement signed by the party's National Secretary, Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, promised.