A former Commissioner of Police, George Alex Mensah, has urged Ghanaians to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections.
This, he said, will ensure the protection of the Free Senior High School policy.
Mensah, who is currently vying for the NPP parliamentary candidacy in the Bekwai constituency, shared his views during an interview with Asaase Radio.
He stated that the NPP is the most capable party to govern the country and has a track record of implementing policies that benefit the underprivileged.
“I see the NPP as the best party to help the country. The whole world knows what is happening. And we know what this government is doing to make sure that Ghana will be able to overcome all these problems. At least we still have free SHS, don’t we,” COP Alex Mensah said.
In 2017, the NPP government introduced the Free SHS policy in Ghana, which offers free tuition, boarding, and meals for all public senior high school students.
The policy has been praised for its inclusivity, making secondary education available to all Ghanaians, regardless of their financial status.
However, some have criticized the high cost of the policy, and the government has been under pressure to reduce spending due to the current economic crisis.
Nonetheless, Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare assures Ghanaians that President Nana Akufo-Addo is committed to the Free SHS policy and has no intention of cancelling it, as stated in August 2023.
“The Free SHS Policy is helping the Ghanaian vulnerable, poor and needy in society. President Nana Akufo-Addo will not cancel it but rather do everything possible to sustain the policy, because of the great impact it is making in the lives of Ghanaian youth,” she said.
The 2024 general election in Ghana is expected to be a close race between the NPP and the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Free SHS policy is likely a major issue in the campaign.