God is alive and not asleep – Akufo-Addo replies Mahama for taking credit for free SHS

Akufo-Addo and Mahama

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dismissed claims by former President John Dramani Mahama that he initiated the free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

The president described Mahama's assertion as "ridiculous," highlighting past criticisms from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership regarding the feasibility of the policy.

Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer's running mate for the 2024 elections in Kumasi on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Akufo-Addo emphasized that the NDC is not a viable alternative for Ghanaians.

"Today, the free Senior High School, the same people that criticized it and said all sorts of things about it, are claiming that they implemented it. We will take it like that," Akufo-Addo said.

"We will take it like that because as God is alive, He is not asleep."

Akufo-Addo criticized Mahama for his apparent about-face on the policy.

"This leader criticized us when we said we were going to implement the Free SHS policy. Now that Ghanaians have accepted the policy, he is saying he is the one who introduced Free SHS. Have you ever heard such a thing?"

He continued, "He indeed said that we are forgetful people. Will we forget this too? Today, the leader of the NDC claims he is the one who introduced Free SHS.

"If he introduced the policy, why did he criticize us when we intended to introduce it? He said if he had 2 billion cedis, he would not invest it in free education."

In a media engagement on Sunday, July 7, 2024, Mahama denied allegations that he was against free SHS.

He claimed that, as the initiator of the progressive free SHS, he was not against the policy but sought a review to maximize its benefits.

"I support any bill that will improve our education to make it sustainable, to afford quality education for our children. So yes, any bill that would achieve this is something that I will support," Mahama stated.