The Ashanti Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abass Nurudeen, has refuted claims made by Ohemaa Benz, a communicator and journalist, that President John Mahama is not concerned about the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

Ohemaa Benz, who is a journalist with Agyapa TV in the Ashanti Region and is known for her criticism of John Mahama, allegedly aimed at tarnishing his image while serving the interests of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a statement signed by Abass Nurudeen and released to the public, the NDC urged Ghanaians to disregard the journalist’s remarks, labeling them as falsehoods that misrepresent Mahama’s vision.

“Our attention has been drawn to a circulating video featuring a female journalist, Ohemaa Benz, expressing her personal views on the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Unfortunately, these views are being deliberately misrepresented by NPP propagandists as the official position of the newly-elected Mahama administration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the individual in question, Ohemaa Benz, is a journalist with Agyapa TV and a regular panelist on the Atene show hosted by El Lizato. She is widely known as one of the fiercest critics of H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as evidenced by her commentary in the attached video. We urge the general public to disregard this desperate propaganda effort by the NPP,” the statement said.

The statement also clarified Mahama’s commitment to the Free SHS policy.

“President John Dramani Mahama remains fully committed to his promise of enhancing the Free SHS policy, ensuring it becomes more effective, inclusive, and accessible to all Ghanaian children,” it emphasised.

It will be recalled that Ohemaa Benz had asked parents with children in senior high school to stop pressuring President Mahama over the Free SHS policy, claiming it is not a priority for him.

According to her, President Mahama prioritises his much-touted 24-hour economy over the Free SHS policy.

She alleged that the President would focus on successfully implementing the 24-hour economy rather than emphasising Free SHS.

In a viral video, Ohemaa Benz remarked that parents unable to afford their children’s secondary education should allow them to stay home.

Her comments sparked backlash from sections of the public, who expressed anger over her remarks.

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SB/MA