We Lied, Only 3.5 Million Students Benefitted from FSH Policy – Dr Yaw Adutwum

Former Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has admitted that only 3.5 million students have actually benefited from Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy since its inception, contradicting earlier claims of over five million beneficiaries.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, February 14, Dr. Adutwum emphasized the policy’s positive impact on access to secondary education and the financial relief it has provided for Ghanaian families. He, however, acknowledged the miscalculation in the previously reported figures.

“There was an error in the figures previously mentioned, and I take full responsibility for that. The correct number of beneficiaries stands at 3.5 million,” he admitted during the interview.

Dr. Adutwum, who served as Education Minister from 2021 to 2024, maintained that despite the discrepancy, the Free SHS policy remains one of the most transformative educational reforms in Ghana’s history.

“The Free SHS policy has changed the landscape of education in Ghana, ensuring that millions of students can complete their secondary education without financial burdens,” he stated.

He called on stakeholders to continue supporting the programme to sustain its success, stressing the need for further improvements to enhance its effectiveness. “Free SHS has changed the trajectory of education in Ghana, and we must do everything possible to ensure its continuous improvement,” he urged.

Source: GhanaNewsOnline