President John Dramani Mahama has reassured the public that his government remains committed to continuing the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, emphasizing that a review of the policy does not imply its cancellation.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of deputy ministers on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Mahama addressed critics who have suggested that his government plans to abolish the Free SHS policy if he is re-elected in 2024.

He clarified that the ongoing review aims to address the challenges the policy faces, not to end it. “We’ve also demonstrated through the 2025 Budget that a review does not mean cancellation." 

"For those who don’t understand English, review does not mean to cancel,” Mahama stated in response to critics questioning the NDC’s stance on the policy.

In the 2025 Budget, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced an allocation of GH¢3.5 billion for the Free SHS policy, which was presented in Parliament on March 11. 

Dr Forson also revealed that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has been uncapped to ensure sustainable funding for free secondary education.

President Mahama praised the uncapping of GETFund, describing it as a significant solution to the long-standing issue of inadequate funding for Free SHS. 

“We have finally found a remedy for the persistent problem of insufficient funds for Free SHS. By uncapping the GETFund, we have released resources for the largest-ever allocation to the Free SHS programme—GH¢3.5 billion since its inception in 2017,” he said during the ceremony.