The outgoing President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, has called for a review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to ensure that students from wealthier backgrounds contribute financially to their education.
Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Kumasi last Monday, Mr. Boafo emphasized the need for a means-tested system that would prevent affluent families from exploiting the policy, suggesting that the National Identification Authority data could be used to implement such reforms.
“Students from comfortable backgrounds who attended expensive basic schools must pay fees at the senior high school level so that resources are freed to fully cater for the poor and vulnerable,” Mr. Boafo stated.
The conference, attended by legal practitioners, state officials including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, also provided a platform for Mr. Boafo to raise concerns about the disparities in basic education.
He highlighted the pressing need to improve foundational education by eliminating schools under trees and providing essential resources such as sanitary products for girls in need.
Mr. Boafo further addressed the inefficiencies in the school feeding program, citing a recent Auditor General’s report and calling for a review to ensure it better serves underprivileged students.
“As a nation, our security is threatened when a chasm develops between the rich and the poor, the urban dweller and the rural dweller,” he warned.
Mr. Boafo also criticized the current system of awarding government scholarships, which he said was riddled with corruption and political patronage.
He called for the award of scholarships to be based strictly on merit and financial need, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He expressed concern over scholarships being granted to politically connected individuals from affluent backgrounds and questioned the practice of awarding multiple scholarships to single individuals while others were left out.
“We call for a review of how government scholarships are awarded or distributed in this country,” Mr. Boafo urged, proposing legislation to streamline the process and ensure fairness in the system.
