The 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana, outlined numerous policies aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the nation. One of the key policies he addressed was the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which was introduced by the previous administration under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
After President Maham losing the 2016 Presidential elections, there has been a widespread perception among some Ghanaians that President Mahama does not support the Free SHS policy and would, therefore, cancel it upon assuming office. However, in his address, President Mahama firmly dispelled these concerns, making it unequivocally clear that his administration has no intention of canceling the policy. Instead, he emphasized his commitment to refining and improving its implementation to ensure better outcomes for students, parents, and the entire education sector.
One of the major aspects of the policy that President Mahama intends to restructure is the Double Track System, which was introduced as a temporary measure to manage the increased student enrollment due to Free SHS. He expressed his strong disapproval of the system, describing it as a major challenge that has negatively impacted the quality of education in Senior High Schools. He assured Ghanaians that his administration would prioritize infrastructure expansion in Senior High Schools across the country to eliminate the Double Track System and restore a more effective academic calendar.
In addition to addressing infrastructure deficits, President Mahama pledged to implement measures to enhance the overall quality of education in the country. He acknowledged the importance of Free SHS in providing equitable access to secondary education but stressed the need for a more sustainable and efficient approach to its execution. His administration, he assured, would work diligently to resolve the challenges associated with the policy, including issues related to overcrowding, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and the welfare of teachers and students.
President Mahama reiterated his commitment to supporting and improving all well-meaning policies in the country, regardless of which administration introduced them. He emphasized that good governance requires continuity and enhancement of impactful policies rather than their outright cancellation.
President Mahama used the 2025 SONA to affirm his administration’s dedication to maintaining and refining the Free SHS policy. He reassured Ghanaians that education remains a top priority for his government, and every effort will be made to ensure that the policy is effectively implemented to benefit future generations.
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