President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hailed his government's flagship Free Senior High School (SHS) policy as a transformative initiative that has benefitted 5.7 million young people in the country, many of whom would have otherwise been denied the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Speaking at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Akufo-Addo outlined the profound impact the policy has had on the nation's youth and called for a global commitment to ensuring access to education for all children. "Our flagship Free Senior High School policy has benefitted 5.7 million young people, many of whom would have been denied the opportunity to learn, to dream, and to succeed," President Akufo-Addo told the global assembly. "This initiative has transformed the lives of millions, positioning the next generation of Ghanaians to take their place as leaders in the global economy." Launched in 2017, the Free SHS policy has been a cornerstone of President Akufo-Addo's administration, aimed at removing financial barriers to secondary education in Ghana.
By covering the full cost of secondary education for all eligible students, the policy has significantly expanded access to schooling for children from all walks of life, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. "This is just the beginning," the President said, expressing his belief that access to education should not be limited by geography or circumstance. "We need a global commitment to ensure that every child, no matter where they are born, has access to quality education.
A world where children are left unprepared for the challenges ahead is not a just world." The President's comments come at a time when many countries, particularly in the developing world, are grappling with educational inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic challenges.