President Akufo-Addo proudly declares that the success attained through the Free SHS policy have muted its critics.

“Surely, there can no longer be any doubts about the validity of the policy and its consequential measures,” he affirmed during the 2023 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony in Takoradi. He claimed the success as highly attributable to effective implementation.

The Free SHS policy was introduced in September 2017 by the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-led Government, was designed to provide free access to second cycle education for the youth.

Prior to its launch, financial constraints prevented about 100,000 Junior High School (JHS) graduates from going to SHS.

Its implementation marked a historic turning point. Over 470,000 students enrolling in Senior High School for the 2017/18 academic year. To date, more than 1.6 million students have benefited from this initiative.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted the policy’s significant investment, resulting in commendable West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.

He proudly stated that the 2022 WASSCE results were the best in the last eight years.

These signify that, for the first time in eight years, more than 50 percent of candidates had A1-C6 grades in all core subjects.

Nana Addo also underscored the government’s commitment to realizing Goal Four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This aims to ensure equitable and quality primary and secondary education for all by 2030.

In recognition of teachers’ pivotal role in Ghana’s educational agenda, Nana Addo assured them of support to further enhance their contributions.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, revealed remarkable educational progress. He noted that 38 percent of primary two pupils could now read. This shows a massive boost from the mere two percent recorded in 2015.

The 2023 Ghana Teacher Prize celebrated educators’ transformative impact on education. It marks the importance of empowering them to reshape the teaching profession.