Retired Ghanaian diplomat, Dr. KB Asante says he is against the free Senior High School (SHS) policy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In his view, parents should be responsible for the education of the children they bring on earth, not the state.
Mr. Asante made the comment on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, while commenting on how the Akufo-Addo led government will fund its plethora of promises especially the free SHS.
The policy according to experts could cost 150 million dollars in its first year of implementation and rise to about 400 million dollars over a four year period.
Given the current economic challenges, most of the policy think tanks and political pundits have described the policy as very ambitious.
But KB Asante stated unequivocally that he is against the policy because parents will shirk their responsibility to their wards.
“Let parents be responsible for their children; if they face difficulties, the children can either apply for scholarship or support” stated.
This notwithstanding, the former Diplomat said the Akufo-Addo led government made the promise therefore must fulfil it.
He called on the NPP to explain how it intends to fund the policy and its implications for other sectors of the economy.
“It’s a good idea, but can it be done, are the funds available? The president has promised that, I wish him well” he added.
KB Asante promised to promote the good intention of the Akufo-Addo government to accelerate Ghana’s development.
“The president and his party alone, cannot bring the change we want; we must all support. When they go astray, we should be bold and polite to tell them” he noted.