Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to sustaining the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, with a pledge to enhance its funding and quality.

Speaking as the guest of honour at the 66th-anniversary celebration of Swedru Secondary School on Saturday, 22nd March, Dr Forson announced plans to amend the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act to ensure a portion of the fund is dedicated to supporting Free SHS.

Dr Forson assured that the Free SHS policy remains a priority, echoing a message from former President John Dramani Mahama.

“Nananom, the Free SHS policy has come to stay. Free Senior High School has come to stay. President John Dramani Mahama asked me to assure you that Free SHS is here to stay,” he declared.

He acknowledged that the policy faces two major challenges—sustainability and quality—stressing that measures would be taken to address both.

To improve the implementation of Free SHS, the Finance Minister stated that adequate funding would be allocated for student accommodation, logistics, and feeding.

He also revealed that the government has settled arrears owed to GETFund over the past eight years, as indicated in the 2025 budget.

“The government is committed to ensuring that funds for accommodation, logistics, and feeding are available. The President also asked me to inform you that the arrears owed to GETFund have been cleared,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Dr Forson assured that GETFund’s finances would be safeguarded to prevent future diversions, guaranteeing dedicated resources for Free SHS.

He disclosed that the 2025 allocation for GETFund stands at GHȼ4.1 billion, with a projected GH¢9 billion for the year.

“We will amend the GETFund Act to ensure that funds are not diverted and that a portion is specifically allocated to Free SHS,” he stated.

Dr Forson reassured parents and students that the quality of food supplies in schools would significantly improve under the new administration.

“Parents, students, President Mahama asked me to assure you that the feeding situation in schools will improve this time round,” he added.