The Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, assured members of the Council of Indigenous Business Association of Ghana (CIBA) that his new tax reforms are designed to support the growth of businesses, particularly indigenous businesses.
During a meeting with the Greater Accra Regional clergy, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the impact of the Free Senior High School (SHS) program on the availability of housemaids in Ghana. He explained that many girls who used to work as maids are now able to attend school due to the government’s initiative.
Dr. Bawumia noted that the enrollment numbers in Ghana have doubled from 800,000 to over 1.6 million since the inception of the Free SHS program. He pointed out that the policy has not only increased access to education but has also reduced gender disparity in schools.
He emphasized the positive transformation in the education sector, stating, “Today what is very interesting about it is that more girls than boys have gone into Senior High School. For every 100 boys in Senior High School, you will now have 106 girls, and the girls have taken over the boys.”
Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the improved performance of students, citing an increase in the pass mark for core subjects from 41% in 2016 to 64% in 2023. He acknowledged the progress but emphasized that more work still needs to be done to further enhance the education system.
Overall, Dr. Bawumia expressed optimism about the future impact of the Free SHS program on education in Ghana, noting that the country is poised for transformation as more people access education at different levels.
