The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has lauded the Free Senior High School (SHS) program as the most daring social initiative of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
His praise came during a ceremony at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where he was awarded an honorary doctorate for his significant contributions to nation-building, peace, and development.
In his address, Otumfuo reflected on Ghana’s educational history, noting that pre-independence reforms primarily focused on primary and university levels, leaving secondary education largely neglected due to financial constraints.
He emphasized that the Free SHS program represents a groundbreaking social intervention.
“The Free Senior High School program is undoubtedly the most ambitious piece of social reform we have seen,” Otumfuo remarked.
He highlighted the program’s significance in ensuring that all Ghanaian children have access to comprehensive basic education, aligning with international standards.
The Free SHS initiative, launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017, remains a subject of ongoing national debate, with both praise for its accessibility and concerns about its long-term sustainability.
