President Akufo-Addo says there are \u201cpowerful forces\u201d in the society hoping for his government\u2019s flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) programme to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlready there are some who are eager to curtail some of the important initiatives such as the Free SHS policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are powerful forces in society who are against it and insist that education should be what parents can afford or contribute. But I have a different view. I think the benefit of it to the society and nation are obvious\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said he is aware of such persons and will not allow their agenda to see the light of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President insisted that the Free SHS programme will survive all such attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Policy has been facing some challenges recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of these challenges include a shortage of food at the various schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has led to a wider conversation around it many calling for a review of the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the President initially rejected such calls, while meeting with the National Executive of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on Wednesday, expressed his readiness to engage in a discussion on the way forward with regard to the Free SHS policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation, according to him, must look at funding, availability of money, access and other ingredients that must work for the good of the Ghanaian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of the things people have been calling for is the review of Free SHS, I think we should have a broader conversation about the incidence of education on our national development,\u201d President Akufo-Addo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n