Seth Terkper Criticizes Gov’t Over Free SHS Programme Funding Model
Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, has raised concerns about the financial sustainability of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, urging the government to consider alternative funding models.
Speaking on TV3 on Friday, December 13, Mr Terkper suggested that Ghana should adopt a more targeted approach, similar to practices in Europe and the United States, where free secondary education is typically limited to day students.
He questioned the government’s rationale for fully subsidizing all SHS costs, including boarding, amidst limited fiscal space.
“Secondary education is free in Europe and the US, but they are day schools,” Mr Terkper said. “The government in these countries provide transportation support, like yellow buses in the US, but boarding schools are largely for the elite who can afford them or for talented students on scholarships. Why don’t we follow their examples?”
Mr Terkper revealed that the free SHS programme, introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration in 2017, has so far cost the Government GHS 9.9 billion, with initial funding supported by a GHS 2.2 billion bond in 2018.
He warned of potential fiscal risks if Ghana continues to bear the programme’s full cost.
