The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has dared the Minority Caucus to tell Ghanaians why they are opposed to the government’s intention to introduce the Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill, 2024 in Parliament this year.

He said the caucus should explain to Ghanaians whether the Free SHS policy was not their priority as “a responsible opposition”.

“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority have spoken through their Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who is strongly opposed to the Free SHS policy,” he said.

Addressing the press in Parliament Tuesday [June 25, 2024], Mr Afenyo-Markin said “I have called this press conference to seek clarification on the stance of the Minority in respect of the Free SHS Bill.

“Clearly, the Minority do not want to commit themselves to the Free SHS policy,” he said. 

Declare your stance 

The Majority Leader disclosed that the Free SHS Bill had received an Executive approval and the Minister of Education would soon introduce the bill to Parliament.

He said while the Majority were ready to consult the Minority Caucus on the bill towards its passage, the latter had not been “ready for the bill.”

He, therefore, challenged the Minority Caucus to declare their position to Ghanaians on the government’s intent to introduce the free Senior High School (SHS) Bill, 2024 in Parliament this year.

“In a bid to enact a law to make it mandatory, we have stated time without number that those provisions in the Constitution that talk about Free SHS are very aspiration.

“So, the way to go is to enact a law to regulate the Free SHS policy which is currently in operation but the NDC is opposed to this,” he said.

The MP for Effutu said the last time he tried to tease out the matter on the floor, the Ranking Member on Education avoided a “response, stayed cleared of it and he was not ready to commit himself.”

“So, we know that in Parliament the Minority Caucus speaks through spokespersons and Mr Nortsu-Kotoe says he is opposed to the bill because there are some provisions in the Constitution.

“The Minority should tell us why they are opposed to the FREE SHS policy,” he added.