President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his unwavering support for Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, dispelling allegations that his administration intends to abolish the programme.

Speaking in an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Mahama dismissed claims by New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials during the campaign that he would scrap the policy.

He described the accusations as unfounded political propaganda.

“Free SHS has come to stay, and it is not going anywhere,” Mahama declared.

“Nobody is going to scrap Free SHS. What was said was political talk and gimmickry.

We are going to maintain it. What we are going to do is secure dedicated funding for it.”

Introduced in 2017 by the Akufo-Addo administration, the Free SHS policy covers tuition, boarding, and meals for students in public senior high schools.

It has significantly increased access to secondary education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Despite its achievements, the programme has faced challenges, including overcrowding, infrastructure deficits, and funding delays, which have impacted its quality.

Mahama has pledged to address these issues, focusing on creating a reliable funding mechanism to ensure the programme’s sustainability and enhance the quality of education.

Mahama’s commitment to Free SHS resonated with voters during the campaign, helping to secure a decisive victory in the December 7 elections.

The Electoral Commission declared him the winner with 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid votes cast.

His closest rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, garnered 4,657,304 votes, or 41.61%.

This victory marks a return to power for Mahama, who previously served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017.

His campaign focused on themes of economic recovery, anti-corruption, and strengthening social programmes like education and healthcare.

During the election, the Free SHS policy became a contentious topic, with the NPP cautioning that Mahama would dismantle it if elected.

However, Mahama’s firm reassurance seeks to allay fears among parents and students.

The President-elect has pledged to collaborate with education stakeholders to refine the programme, addressing existing challenges while preserving its core benefits.

“We will work to make Free SHS better, more efficient, and sustainable for future generations,” Mahama emphasized.