Former Education Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has defended the rollout of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy despite criticisms over the lack of adequate infrastructure to support it.

In an interview with Channel One’s Umaru Sanda, as monitored by MyNewsGH, NAPO responded to concerns that infrastructure development should have been prioritized before implementing the program.

When asked if he would have approached the initiative differently, he dismissed such arguments, asserting that they reflect a misunderstanding of governance and policy implementation.

“Those who believe infrastructure should have been completed before rolling out Free SHS miss the point entirely,” he stated.

Using an analogy, he explained: “It’s like saying someone must build a house, furnish it completely, and have all essentials before they get married and start a family. Life doesn’t work that way, and neither does governance.”

NAPO emphasized that governments rarely wait to address all infrastructure deficits before initiating critical policies.

“No one waits for all roads to be constructed before buying a car. Similarly, no one expects every hospital to be perfectly equipped before they start seeking medical care,” he remarked.

The Free SHS policy, a flagship achievement of President Akufo-Addo’s administration, aimed to ensure equitable access to education. While the program expanded opportunities for thousands of students, critics often cited overcrowded classrooms and inadequate facilities as significant challenges.

Acknowledging these issues, NAPO argued that focusing solely on infrastructure would have delayed the program indefinitely, denying many Ghanaians access to secondary education.

“Governance is about setting priorities and addressing the most pressing needs. We couldn’t wait to fix every school building before ensuring that every child could go to school,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of addressing challenges beyond infrastructure, such as the quality of teaching staff and their working conditions.

“It’s not just about buildings; it’s about equipping people. In healthcare, for instance, what’s more important than having trained personnel who can deliver results?” he added.

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