This week’s edition of Newsfile focused on the free SHS policy which begins in September. On February 11, President Akufo-Addo announced that government will fully implement the free Senior High School policy from the 2017/2018 academic year which starts this September. In his explanation he said by free SHS he means there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer lab fees, no examination fees and no utility fees.

Meanwhile Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo at a conference in Accra on 14th February said government would review the Petroleum Management Act to allow the for the use of the Heritage Fund to finance the free SHS policy but Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says government will not touch the heritage fund to support the free SHS programme.

Other issues that dominated includes Ghartey’s bribery committee which begun this week investigating the bribery the scandal that hit parliament. With emphasis on Joseph Osei Owusu alleging that the bribery allegation made against him and some members were fabricated and aimed at equalising what Boakye Agarko said about former President Mahama. Also Okudzeto Ablakwa granted request to appear before the committee will be talked about. Only four witnesses may testify at the hearing will also be discussed.

The GH4.6bn BoG-SIBTON switch deal was looked at by raising questions if the contract is genuine or not, BoG swerving its own subsidiary in mobile money deal, unsual? And Bawumia petitioned over GH4.6bn BoG deal, if it’s a step in the right direction.

Watch a playback of the programme here.

The Free SHS Policy



Appointments Committee Bribery Probe



Gh4.6BN BoG-Sibton Switch Deal