Fred Amankwah Sarfo, a Communications Team Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has defended the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy amidst ongoing criticism from various stakeholders.
Speaking on TV3’s NewDay with Roland Walker on January 27, Sarfo acknowledged the challenges associated with the policy’s implementation but argued that its transformative impact outweighs the difficulties.
“Others were preaching against the implementation of the Free SHS. We had to come into office and do it to show them that this is doable. There have been challenges since the implementation of Free SHS. Everybody knows that. But as we go along, we will correct them,” he stated.
Sarfo expressed dissatisfaction with claims that the policy was introduced by the NPP government for mere political gain, describing such criticisms as “unfair.” He urged Ghanaians to focus on finding solutions to the challenges rather than dismissing the policy altogether.
“The fact that there are challenges does not defeat the importance of the policy. The policy is fantastic. If there are challenges, let’s find solutions and not throw the baby away with the bathwater,” he added passionately.
Sarfo further emphasized the need for a balanced debate on Free SHS, urging stakeholders to move beyond polarized arguments about its viability and instead work collectively to improve its implementation.
The Free SHS policy, a flagship programme of the NPP government, has faced scrutiny since its launch. Critics have pointed to issues such as overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and resource shortages in schools as evidence of poor planning.
Despite these concerns, the policy’s advocates continue to praise it as a groundbreaking initiative that has dramatically increased access to secondary education for thousands of Ghanaian students. Sarfo’s remarks reinforce the NPP’s commitment to addressing the policy’s challenges while maintaining its core objective of ensuring education for all.