A group of university lecturers advocating the sustainability of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in Ghana has expressed reservations about the ability of former President John Dramani Mahama to manage and sustain the initiative.

The group, known as University Lecturers for Free SHS Ghana, has declared that "Mahama's leadership track record and policy inconsistencies" render him unfit to oversee the continuity of the flagship educational policy.

Addressing a press conference at the School of Business Conference Hall, University of Cape Coast (UCC), on Monday, November 25, 2024, the convenor of the group, Prof. Isaac Boadi, who is also Dean, Faculty and Accounting, University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA, emphasised that the Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017 under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's administration, had significantly transformed access to secondary education in Ghana.

On behalf of the group, he noted that enrolment figures had surged from 800,000 in 2017 to 1.4 million students as of 2024.

According to the group, this remarkable growth demonstrates the policy's impact on reducing financial barriers to education for Ghanaian families.

The lecturers contended that former President Mahama's governance history did not inspire confidence in his ability to sustain such a monumental policy.

They pointed to Mahama's earlier criticisms of the Free SHS initiative during its implementation phase and his subsequent calls for a "review" of the policy as evidence of inconsistency and lack of commitment.

"How can Ghanaians trust the same person who doubted the feasibility of Free SHS to now claim he can improve it? His flip-flopping on this critical issue raises serious concerns about his sincerity and capability."

The group further highlighted a series of pronouncements made by Mahama and leading members of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which they believe cast doubt on his commitment to the policy.

They pointed to a series of statements made by Mahama, particularly during his political campaigns, that openly opposed the Free SHS initiative.

They referenced the 2012 election campaign, where the NDC commissioned approximately 47 anti-Free SHS advertisements, urging voters to reject then-candidate Akufo-Addo's promise of free secondary education, labelling it as an "impossible dream."

In the lead-up to the 2016 elections, Mahama was quoted as saying, "Ghana must not implement Free SHS on the whimsical promises of a desperate politician," adding that many African nations had failed with similar policies. This sentiment was echoed in his statements during a visit to Okere in the Eastern Region in November 2012, where he warned that Free SHS would "collapse the education system of Ghana."

"Additionally, they said Mahama referred to the policy as a "political gimmick" during a speech at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 2016, and he strongly rejected it at an NDC unity walk in Tarkwa, calling it an unwise decision to implement. He further predicted its failure in 2017, stating that "Lalasulala Free SHS will fail."

They indicated that on several occasions, Mahama reiterated his doubts about the policy, even suggesting its possible scrapping. In 2018, he remarked that the policy would need a review due to the significant financial burden it placed on the national budget, hinting at the possibility of it being discontinued. "It is unthinkable to spend 2 billion Ghana cedis on Free SHS," Mahama had said.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, was also cited in the statement, having described the policy as "shambolic" and suggested it should be scrapped. The lecturers, therefore, questioned how Mahama, who has consistently opposed the Free SHS policy, could be trusted to manage it effectively if given the chance.

"Someone who flip-flops on such an important issue cannot be entrusted with the destiny of Ghanaian SHS students now and those yet to access secondary education," they added.

The lecturers commended the government for its bold step in making secondary education accessible to all Ghanaian children, regardless of their financial background.

They highlighted the significant contributions of the Free SHS policy to inclusive and equitable education in the country.

They noted that the policy had played a crucial role in bridging the educational gap between privileged and underprivileged communities, allowing students from low-income families to access quality education. This, they said, had contributed to reducing educational inequality and fostering a more equitable education system.

They also emphasised the positive impact of Free SHS on national development. By enhancing human capital through a well-educated population, the policy is driving innovation and economic growth. The lecturers cited how the initiative has enabled many families to break the cycle of poverty, aligning with national development goals.

The lecturers said the Free SHS policy ensures that children from low-income households can access education without financial barriers, promoting social mobility and breaking the cycle of poverty.

"Free SHS prepares students for tertiary education and the labour market, contributing to national economic growth. The policy has also increased enrollment in universities, creating a larger pool of talent for research and innovation. By reducing school dropouts and child labour, Free SHS helps empower young people to contribute meaningfully to society, fostering greater social cohesion and stability," they indicated.

The group added that the policy aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The university lecturers further urged the government to ensure consistent funding to maintain the programme's quality and accessibility.

They praised the government's commitment to spending 10 billion cedis on the policy from its inception in 2017 to 2024 and called for continued increases in budgetary allocation. They recognised the government's efforts in providing physical infrastructure, including classrooms, dormitories, libraries, and laboratories, to accommodate the growing number of students. They called for continued improvements to ensure that no child was left behind.

The lecturers emphasised the need for continuous investment in teacher training and welfare. They urged the government to prioritise the recruitment and training of teachers, as well as the improvement of their remuneration, to ensure high-quality education. They recommended the establishment of robust systems through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to track the program's impact, ensure accountability, and address challenges promptly.

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