Akufo-Addo deserves a statue in his honour for Free SHS – UniMAC lecturer
Daniel Obeng Acquah, a lecturer at the Department of Integrated Social Sciences of the University of Media, Arts and Communications—Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) says President Nana Akufo-Addo should be honoured with a statue for his groundbreaking free senior high school policy.
Mr. Obeng Acquah asserted in a feature article published on 24/7GhanaNews portal that the free SHS initiative has reaped undeniable results by giving millions of Ghanaian students access to education regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.
"Today, the results are undeniable. Thousands of students from all sixteen regions of Ghana have benefited from this groundbreaking initiative, shattering the barriers of access and inequality that once denied them the opportunity to reach their full potential," he wrote.
He praised Akufo-Addo's "unwavering dedication" to the policy, adding that its expansion nationwide "is a masterclass in leadership, demonstrating an unshakeable commitment to the values of equity, inclusivity, and social justice."
By prioritizing education, the lecturer argued the President has "not only improved lives but also empowered a generation to drive Ghana’s future growth and development."
The UniMAC lecturer believes Akufo-Addo's legacy through free SHS "extends far beyond his tenure in office" as he has "shown that vision, courage, and perseverance can overcome even the most entrenched obstacles."
To commemorate his "extraordinary contribution to Ghana’s development," Mr Acquah is advocating for a statue in the President's honor that symbolizes "the nation’s gratitude for his unwavering commitment to education and the empowerment of its citizens."
Implementation of the programme began in September 2017, targeting first-year students in public Senior High Schools and Technical/Vocational Institutions.
Importantly, any Ghanaian child placed in a public second-cycle institution through the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) during the 2017 school placement process became entitled to benefit from the Free SHS initiative.
“The impact of the programme is evident. To date, a total of over GH¢ 9.9 billion has been spent on the programme and a cumulative total of 5.7 million young people have benefitted from this initiative, many of whom may not have had this opportunity,” Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam said in his mid-year budget review presentation.
Read the lecturer’s full write-up below:
In 2008, a bold promise was made on the campaign trail in Ghana – to revolutionize the country’s education system by introducing free senior high school education. Despite the skeptics and naysayers, this visionary leader remained steadfast in his commitment, driven by an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education implemented this policy in right after winning the 2016 presidential elections in Ghana.
Today, the results are undeniable. Thousands of students from all sixteen regions of Ghana have benefited from this groundbreaking initiative, shattering the barriers of access and inequality that once denied them the opportunity to reach their full potential. This is not just a testament to the leader’s unwavering dedication but also a resounding indictment of those who doubted their resolve.
The expansion of this program to all sixteen regions of Ghana is a masterclass in leadership, demonstrating an unshakeable commitment to the values of equity, inclusivity, and social justice. By putting education at the forefront of the national agenda, Akuffo Addo has not only improved lives but also empowered a generation to drive Ghana’s future growth and development.
As we reflect on this remarkable achievement, it is clear that this legacy extends far beyond his tenure in office. They have redefined the boundaries of political leadership, showing that vision, courage, and perseverance can overcome even the most entrenched obstacles.
In recognition of this extraordinary contribution to Ghana’s development, I firmly believe that Akufo-Addo deserves a statue in his honour, symbolizing the nation’s gratitude for his unwavering commitment to education and the empowerment of its citizens.
This legacy serves as a powerful reminder that leadership matters and that the courage to challenge the status quo can transform a nation. As we enter election 2024, it is my utmost desire for Ghanaians to weigh the options and decide Ghana’s future with free SHS as a focus in this election.