By Obour Samuel | March 11, 2025 | 3 min read.

In a passionate appeal, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda, is urging the government to prioritize and protect funding for Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in the highly anticipated 2025 national budget.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator warned that any move to reduce allocations to the Free SHS Secretariat would undermine one of the country's most vital social intervention programs, leaving thousands of students vulnerable.

“It will be one of the serious issues for the government to do, to cut investment in Free SHS. We expect dedicated funding for this programme so that students are not left struggling for basic necessities,” he emphasized.

Why Free SHS Funding Must Be Protected

Since its inception, the Free SHS initiative has significantly increased access to secondary education, lifting the financial burden from parents and guardians. However, amid growing fiscal constraints, concerns have been raised over whether the government can maintain adequate funding levels in the 2025 budget.

MP Acquah stressed that reducing Free SHS funds would directly affect students' welfare, including their access to food, learning materials, and quality teaching, urging that “government must ensure sufficient allocations to sustain the effectiveness of the program.”

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Possible Consequences of Budget Cuts

Should the government slash the Free SHS budget, many schools could face severe shortages, forcing families to resume covering costs for essentials — a scenario Acquah warns would defeat the very purpose of the policy.

“We cannot allow a situation where students start asking parents for money to feed at school or buy books. Free SHS must remain truly free,” the MP stressed

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Broader Implications for Education and Society

The Free SHS program has not only democratized access to education but also contributed to human capital development crucial for Ghana's future growth. Acquah’s call reflects wider concerns among stakeholders that any compromise on education funding could roll back progress made over recent years.

Conclusion

As discussions on the 2025 budget heat up, Akim Oda's MP is making it clear: Free SHS funding is non-negotiable. Ensuring that every Ghanaian child has access to free, quality secondary education should remain at the heart of the nation’s developmental agenda.

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