Iddrisu Fires Back at Bawumia Over Free SHS Claims, Defends Government Record

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has firmly rejected assertions by New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that Ghana's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme has deteriorated under the current National Democratic Congress administration, instead arguing that the government has inherited and is actively addressing longstanding problems.

The dispute centres on the state of Ghana's flagship education initiative. Dr Bawumia, speaking at the NPP's National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, had claimed that Free SHS implementation has suffered significant setbacks since the NDC government took office in January 2025. However, Mr Iddrisu countered that many of the current challenges predate the current administration and that concrete steps have already been taken to strengthen the programme.

Government's Defence and Improvements

Mr Iddrisu highlighted several measures undertaken by the NDC government to improve Free SHS delivery. Most notably, he emphasised that President John Dramani Mahama's administration has reviewed both the programme's structure and its funding mechanism, particularly regarding student feeding. The Minister pointed to the uncapping of the GETFund—a critical education financing vehicle—as evidence of increased commitment to ensuring adequate food supplies reach senior high schools nationwide.

"President John Dramani Mahama has reviewed the Free SHS and its funding mechanism for feeding. With the uncapping of the GETFund, adequate food supplies have been made available to all senior high schools across the country unlike it was in the last eight years of the NPP administration," Mr Iddrisu stated, directly contrasting the current approach with the previous administration's record.

The Minister also rejected claims that students were receiving inadequate meals, suggesting that improved funding has directly addressed this persistent challenge that plagued schools during the previous government's tenure.

Historical Accuracy and Free Tuition Disputes

A secondary but significant point of contention involves the nature of free education in Ghana. Mr Iddrisu disputed Dr Bawumia's characterisation that the NPP introduced free tuition under Free SHS, arguing this misrepresents Ghana's education history. According to the Minister, tuition has remained free at all levels of public education since Ghana's independence, making this a foundational principle of the education system rather than an innovation by any single government.

"Throughout history and since independence, tuition has remained free at all levels of education in Ghana," Mr Iddrisu clarified, suggesting that the NPP's claims about introducing free tuition were historically inaccurate.

Why It Matters for Ghana

This exchange is significant for several reasons. First, Free SHS remains one of Ghana's most visible and politically consequential education policies, affecting hundreds of thousands of students and their families annually. Second, the debate reflects broader political tensions as the NDC government settles into its second term and the NPP positions itself as opposition. Third, the dispute over programme implementation quality directly impacts students' educational outcomes and school operational capacity—issues that touch voters across the country.

The disagreement also highlights persistent concerns about Free SHS sustainability and quality. For nearly a decade, the programme has faced criticism regarding inadequate feeding, infrastructure strain, and teacher shortages. Mr Iddrisu's emphasis on GETFund uncapping signals the government's belief that financing is a primary constraint that can be addressed through better resource allocation rather than programme restructuring.

The Minister concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to improving Free SHS implementation and addressing challenges facing both students and educational institutions, positioning the NDC as intent on fixing inherited problems rather than dismantling the programme itself.