The Omanhene of the Domeabra Traditional Area, Nana Baffour Owusu, has lauded the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Free Senior High School (SHS) policy for significantly reducing the financial burden on traditional leaders across the country.
According to Nana Baffour Owusu, before the implementation of the Free SHS policy, chiefs and community leaders were often overwhelmed with requests to support the education of youth within their communities by covering tuition, library, and other school-related fees.
The introduction of the policy has not only alleviated these financial pressures but also opened up educational opportunities for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“The Free SHS policy has been a tremendous relief for us as traditional leaders. We used to shoulder the responsibility of supporting our people’s education financially, but now, thanks to this initiative, many families can afford to send their children to school without worrying about fees,” the Omanhene stated.
He made these remarks when the former Minister of Education and current running mate to the NPP Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Tuesday, August 20, during a campaign tour of the Asante Akyem North constituency in the Ashanti Region.
The chief commended Dr. Opoku Prempeh, affectionately known as Napo, for his instrumental role in spearheading the successful implementation of the Free SHS policy during his tenure as Education Minister. He noted that the policy has been transformative, providing numerous children with access to quality education and securing a better future for them.
In response, Dr. Opoku Prempeh expressed gratitude for the chief’s support and assured him of the NPP’s continued commitment to collaborating with traditional authorities to drive national development.
He emphasized that the next NPP government, under the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, would prioritize education and work closely with chiefs to address the developmental needs of various communities.
“Our traditional leaders are key stakeholders in our nation’s development. We will continue to engage and work with you to ensure that policies like Free SHS not only continue but are also enhanced to benefit more Ghanaians,” Napo affirmed.
As part of his tour, Dr. Opoku Prempeh also visited the Juansa and Agogo Palaces, where he engaged with other traditional leaders and discussed pertinent issues affecting their communities.
He later addressed students at the Presbyterian College of Education in Agogo, encouraging them to take full advantage of educational opportunities and contribute positively to national development.
The day’s activities culminated in a well-attended rally at the forecourt of the NPP Constituency Office in Agogo, where Dr. Opoku Prempeh formally introduced the party’s parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Andy Appiah Kubi. He called on constituents to support and vote for both Mr. Kubi and Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming elections to ensure continued progress and development.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh was accompanied by a strong delegation that included Mr. Danquah Smith, the NPP’s First National Vice Chairman; Mr. Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organizer; and Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party.
The visit forms part of the NPP’s broader campaign efforts to engage with grassroots supporters and stakeholders ahead of the general elections, highlighting the party’s achievements and outlining its vision for the country’s future.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
