Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the rash decision to implement the Free Senior High School policy. According to him, there was no consultation prior to the implementation of the policy against established norms.

Speaking at the end of a health walk organized by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tarkwa in the Western Region on Saturday, Mr Mahama said most policies introduced by former presidents have been done after extensive stakeholders meeting.

He cited the GETFund and even the NHIS as being implemented after consultations with a wide range of stakeholders. He said President Akufo-Addo felt he was the only knowledgeable person in Ghana and so saw no need to consult anybody.

Hence, the problems with the policy, he said. He, therefore, advised the president to immediately call together stakeholders to brainstorm on the policy. “It is not too late,” he said in local language Twi. The former president said the policy’s failure will even be imminent with the announcement of a programme to get volunteers to fund it.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in delivering the 2018 budget and financial policy of government, announced the setting up of a Voluntary Education Fund to finance education in the country. But Mr Mahama likened that to “collection” and said it “will not work”.

“Immediately, let’s call a national stakeholders conference on how to finance Free SHS.”