The Minority in Parliament supports the Free SHS (FSHS) Bill, set to be presented to Parliament. This move aims to counter rumors that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would cancel the policy if it gains power.
Dr. Clement Apaak, MP for Builsa South, emphasized that the Minority welcomes the bill, which would ensure future governments continue the FSHS policy. He cited former President John Mahama’s commitment to improving FSHS implementation by addressing issues like poor infrastructure, food quality, and irregular academic calendars.
While awaiting the bill’s details, the Minority supports the initiative to secure FSHS’s future. The government plans to present the bill soon, aiming to regulate and sustain the policy, as announced by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin at a media briefing.
Statement by the Minority
WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO A BILL ON FSHS BILL
We are not opposed to FSHS and therefore can not be opposed to a proposed bill to bind future government to it. As John Dramani Mahama noted during his meeting with the national leadership of CHASS on May 8th, 2024, he will work with them and all stakeholders to make FSHS better.
Our Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has indicated time without number that, the FSHS policy is a good policy bedevilled with implementation challenges: inadequate academic and residential infrastructure; inadequate and poor quality food; inadequate furniture; erratic academic calendar, among others. John Dramani Mahama has pledged to address these challenges to make FSHS better.
So, while we wait to see the proposed bill and examine its contents in detail, in principle, we have no challenge supporting a bill seeking to ensure its future.
Dr. Clement Apaak
MP, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member, Education Committee of Parliament.
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