Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the 2020 Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused the government of overstepping the definition of ‘review’ to be applied to government flagship policies.
“I am waiting with bated breath for the definition of “review” as it will be applied to the government’s flagship policies, and it will be good to know how the government will review the Free Senior High School flagship policy,” she said.
According to her, “when we said ‘review’ others said we were going to cancel, but we are waiting for the definition of “review” from the ‘Black Dictionary’ since that is the source they use for many issues.”
Speaking at the launch of the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) App of the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), Prof. Opoku-Agyeman indicated that she could not comprehend why the same people who alleged that former President John Mahama meant ‘cancel’ when he used the word ‘review’ wanted to do what they once criticised.
“When former President Mahama called for the review of the Free Senior High School policy the government said he meant cancellation but today they are calling for review of the policy and I cannot comprehend why the same people want to review it,” she pointed out.
Prior to Election, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo asked citizens not to allow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to review its flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) policy when it comes into office because former President Mahama’s return could mean cancellation of the policy.
However, former President Mahama had stated at a meeting with the Ghana National Council for Private Schools (GNACOPS) he will review the Free Senior High School policy within his first 90-days in office if elected in the upcoming 2020 general election.
He cited inadequate consultation with stakeholders in exploring most effective and efficient ways to implement the policy which has again come up for discussion as the government recently announced a review of its flagship programmes.
The flagship policy was a major campaign promise by then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016, which has subsequently become an essential part of the educational system, but a year after its implementation, Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, stated the policy should have targeted people with genuine need and not be made to benefit everyone.