Those saying NDC will abolish free SHS are liars — Prof Opoku-Agyemang

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has reiterated the party's commitment to continuing the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, dismissing claims they will cancel it if elected.

Addressing supporters in Abuakwa North on Wednesday, June 26, Prof Opoku-Agyemang dared people making the claims to back it with facts.

"Anybody who says the NDC is against Free SHS is a liar, I dare anyone to show proof John Mahama will cancel Free SHS,” she said.

Her comments come in the wake of accusations from the Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, that the NDC minority caucus in Parliament was opposing the passage of a Free SHS bill.

Afenyo-Markin had called on the NDC to state clearly if free SHS was still their priority, citing comments from the NDC's ranking member on education, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who he said strongly opposed the bill.

“We have stated time without number that those provisions in the constitution that talk about free SHS are very aspirational, they are aspirational provisions so the way to go is to enact a law to regulate the free SHS policy which is currently in operation.

“The NDC is opposed to this and they have spoken through their ranking member. we want them to tell Ghanaians whether free SHS is not their priority as a responsible opposition,” said the Effutu lawmaker.

However, Prof Opoku-Agyemang denied the accusations, insisting there is no evidence the next NDC administration led by John Mahama will scrap the policy.

The back and forth come amid debates around the future of free SHS, as the NDC has criticized the implementation challenges but maintained support for the broad policy.