The government says all its flagship programs including the ambitious Free Senior High School (SHS) policy will continue to run regardless of the challenges confronting the country’s economy.
This is contrary to earlier suggestions by the Minister responsible for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah that all 16 flagship programs of the government including the Free SHS were up for possible review after a recent cabinet meeting to proffer solutions to the economic hardships.
Analysts as well as the opposition NDC, have urged the government to review the Free SHS program and take expenditure cuts among others to save the country money.
But speaking at a press briefing today, Thursday, March 24, Finance does not intend to suspend any of its policies.
“Let me say that President Akufo-Addo has no absolute intention to roll back any major policy like the Free SHS. He sees education as the best and enabling force for sustainable economic growth, transformation, and social mobility, and we will do more to improve on it for it to serve more and better our children.”
What did Information Minister say?
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said no program will be left out of the review.
“All the 16 flagship programs are up to be looked at. The President has directed that the flagship programs should be protected and fully implemented to ensure that the impact is achieved. However, he wants it done within the constraints of item number 2 which is the fiscal framework we are working with. If based on the caps that we are working with we will have to rescope a particular flagship program, we will do it and see how much we can achieve.”
“All the 16 are up for discussion, none is off-limit. Only that the President has laid down the red line that we will not compromise on the fiscal consolidation agenda because our real problem over the years has been a year-on-year deficit going out of hand.”
The post Gov’t won’t roll back Free SHS, other flagship programs – Ofori-Atta appeared first on Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana.
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