Mahama criticises NPP’s implementation of Free SHS

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama, has criticised the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what he described as the poor implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

While admitting that the free SHS policy was a good policy, he said it’s poor implementation had brought a lot of confusion to the education sector and stress on parents and their children.

He noted for instance that the double track system that came with the policy had affected students and parents, adding that the next NDC government would abolish the double track system in its first year in office.

He was speaking at a mini rally at the Abura Roman Catholic School park on Thursday as part of his tour of the Central Region.

Infrastructure

Mr Mahama said it was unfortunate that the educational infrastructural development needed for the effective implementation of the policy was missing.

He queried how one could buy chickens for rearing without first getting hen coops.

He said there was the need to put in place the infrastructure required for the successful implementation of the policy.

Abandoned projects

Mr Mahama expressed dismay at the neglect of school blocks built by the NDC.

He said all across the country, there were schools abandoned, and lizards and snakes taking over the uncompleted infrastructure.

Mr Mahama said major NDC infrastructure development across Ghana included the Kotokuraba Market and the Cape Coast Stadium.

He said the next NDC government would build miniature versions of the Kejetia Market across the country to ensure traders went about their businesses in a decent environment.

Job creation

He further gave the assurance that if given the mandate, his government would work to provide skills for the youth through apprenticeship programmes to make them earn a decent living.

Earlier at Ekumfi Otuam, Mr Mahama promised to revisit a proposed clean coal factory for the people of Otuam to help provide jobs for the youth.

Security

Mr Mahama also criticised the Akufo-Addo administration over the current state of security, describing it as terrible

He said the safety of all Ghanaians was important and remained the responsibility of the President, who is Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, adding Ghanaians must be made to feel safe.

MP’s killing

Making reference to the recent killing of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Mr Ekow Kwansah Hayford, and other robberies in the country, Mr Mahama said it looked like the government had lost control of security.

He said it was frightening that armed robbers could block a major highway like the Accra-Cape Coast road, saying this meant there was something wrong with the security system.

Worrying

The former President said it was worrying that weapons and arms had.found their way into the hands of vigilantes who now had more sophisticated arms than the nation's security personnel, saying this was worsening the insecurity in the country.

He gave an assurance that the next NDC government would ensure Ghanaians would move about without the fear of being attacked by armed robbers. - #GhanaVotes2020