Free SHS policy: ‘It’s helping vulnerable, poor and needy in society; retain NPP to continue’ — COP Alex Mensah (rtd)

Retired Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah has called on the Ghanaian electorate to support the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 elections, citing the importance of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, which he contends has been a huge beneficial to the vulnerable, poor, and needy in society.

COP Alex Mensah, who is also aspiring to become the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Bekwai constituency, made these remarks during an interview with Asaase Radio monitored by ModernGhana News.

He highlighted the NPP's track record in implementing policies aimed at improving the lives of the less privileged in the country.

In his statement, he said, "I see the NPP as the best party that can help the country. The whole world knows what is happening.

“And we know what this government is doing to make sure that Ghana will be able to overcome all these problems. At least we still have free SHS, don’t we?"

The Free SHS policy, introduced by the NPP government in 2017, offers free tuition, boarding, and meals to all public senior high school students in Ghana.

The policy has received widespread acclaim for its role in making secondary education accessible to all Ghanaians, regardless of their financial circumstances.

While the Free SHS policy has been lauded for its inclusivity, it has also faced criticism due to its associated challenges.

In August 2023, Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare assured the Ghanaian public that President Nana Akufo-Addo had no intention of discontinuing the policy.

She said, “The Free SHS Policy is helping the Ghanaian vulnerable, poor and needy in society. President Nana Akufo-Addo will not cancel it but rather do everything possible to sustain the policy, because of the great impact it is making in the lives of Ghanaian youth.”