Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has refuted claims made by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, that the minority caucus is against the Free Senior High School policy bill, describing the accusations as unfounded and misleading.
Dr. Forson turned the tables on the Majority Leader’s accusations, revealing that it was actually Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, who had openly voiced his disapproval of legislation aimed at regulating the Free Senior High School policy, contrary to the claims of opposition from the minority side.
“The Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, is on record to have said that there is no need for a bill or a law to regulate the Free Senior High School and not the NDC. He’s on record, he said, all you need is commitment”.
“In the last few days, my colleague, the majority leader [Alexander Afenyo-Markin] is on record to have accused the NDC minority of not supporting the Free Senior High School bill. Let me put on record that, there is no such bill before parliament. We are hearing from him for the first time that the government is considering a bill to be presented to parliament called the Free Senior High School Bill. It is important for us to reiterate, that we cannot oppose a bill that we have not seen, we cannot”.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Ato Forson emphasized that the minority has never indicated any intention to oppose a bill regulating the Free Senior High School policy and that their position on the matter has been grossly misrepresented by the Majority Leader.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, challenged the NPP to expedite the presentation of the bill, assuring that the minority caucus would consistently support any legislation that benefits the nation, and urging the ruling party to cease propaganda and take action instead.
He reaffirmed the minority’s unwavering commitment, stating that the NDC minority will consistently and unreservedly support any legislation aimed at enhancing and perpetuating the Free Senior High School policy, ensuring its sustainability and benefit to the nation.
He pointed out that the NDC has merely highlighted some glaring gaps and shortcomings in the policy’s implementation, with the aim of improving its effectiveness and ensuring its long-term success.
Minority Rejects ‘Baseless’ Claims, Demands Accurate Debate
Additionally, the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, echoed the Minority Leader’s stance, dismissing Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s claims as baseless and unfounded, and reaffirming the minority’s commitment to supporting the Free Senior High School policy’s improvement and sustainability.
Mr. Agbodza emphatically stated that there is currently no bill related to the Free Senior High School policy before the House for the minority to oppose or support, rendering the Majority Leader’s accusations moot and misleading.
“Mr Speaker let the world know that there is no Free SHS bill before Parliament and let the Majority Leader desist from spreading information that is not factual.”
Kwame Governs Agbodza
Meanwhile, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the leader of the Movement for Change, has advocated for a thorough and comprehensive review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, seeking to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. He recognized the policy’s remarkable achievement in increasing access to education but stressed the imperative need for a thorough evaluation and assessment after nearly eight years of implementation.
He noted that evaluation is needed to identify areas for refinement, optimize its impact, and ensure the policy’s continued relevance and effectiveness.
Alan Kyerematen specified key parameters for the review, including the need to assess the policy’s financial viability and long-term sustainability, as well as the adequate provision of infrastructure and resources to support the program’s continued success.
He emphasized that failing to conduct a thorough financial analysis could lead to the demise of the Free SHS policy, despite its noble objectives, if its financial sustainability is not carefully examined and addressed.
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