A public spat has erupted between Ghana's former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, over the state of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme. Dr. Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), criticised the programme's implementation under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, citing deteriorated feeding arrangements and limited access. He made these remarks at the NPP National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on October 3, 2026.
Dr. Bawumia expressed concerns about the quality of meals provided to students, despite assurances of improvement. He also questioned the placement of Basic Education Certificate Examination graduates into the programme, alleging that some qualified students were excluded. Furthermore, he accused the government of failing to abolish the double track system, introduced by the NPP to accommodate increased enrolment. Dr. Bawumia claimed the NDC had previously criticised the double track arrangement but had not fulfilled its promise to eliminate it.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu strongly disputed Dr. Bawumia's assessment, arguing that some difficulties confronting the programme were inherited from the previous administration. Mr. Iddrisu stated that the government had undertaken measures to improve implementation and reviewed the policy and its financing arrangements. He rejected claims of inadequate food, citing improvements in food supply due to the uncapping of the GETFund, which enabled government to make adequate food available to Senior High Schools.
Mr. Iddrisu challenged Dr. Bawumia's description of tuition as an achievement introduced under the NPP's Free SHS policy. He argued that tuition had historically been free in Ghana's public education system since independence. Therefore, the claim that the NPP introduced free tuition did not accurately reflect the history of education financing in the country. The Education Minister maintained that the government remained committed to strengthening Free SHS and resolving existing challenges.
The Free SHS programme has been a flagship education initiative in Ghana, aimed at increasing access to education. The programme's implementation has been a subject of debate, with various stakeholders expressing concerns about its effectiveness. Dr. Bawumia's criticisms reflect the NPP's stance on the programme, while Mr. Iddrisu's response represents the government's efforts to defend its management of the policy.
The exchange between Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Iddrisu highlights the ongoing challenges in Ghana's education sector. The government's commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring that students and schools receive the necessary resources will be crucial in determining the programme's success. The debate is expected to continue, with stakeholders closely monitoring the government's response to the criticisms.
The Free SHS programme has had a significant impact on households across Ghana, with many students benefiting from the initiative. However, the programme's sustainability and effectiveness remain a subject of concern. The government's efforts to address the challenges and improve implementation will be essential in ensuring that the programme achieves its objectives and provides quality education to Ghanaian students.
Key points
- Dr. Bawumia criticised the Free SHS programme's implementation under the NDC administration.
- Haruna Iddrisu disputed Dr. Bawumia's assessment, citing measures to improve implementation.
- The government's commitment to strengthening Free SHS and resolving existing challenges remains a subject of focus.
