The Krontihene of Akyem Asoum, Nana Boadi Amponim Abodade III, has praised the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy introduced by President Nana Akufo-Addo but criticised its rushed implementation.

In a recent interview, the traditional leader acknowledged the policy’s positive intentions but described its execution as hasty and fraught with challenges that could have been avoided with better planning.

“Even Lucifer had something good about him. They said he was a good singer; he had a magical voice. Lucifer, yes. So definitely, there will be something good about Nana Akufo-Addo,” Nana Boadi stated, setting the tone for his critique.

“Free SHS was a good idea by all standards, yes, it was. But the planning was where the problem was.”

He expressed concern over the lack of a thorough assessment before rolling out the policy, noting the strain it placed on Ghana’s educational infrastructure.

“We could have taken our time, assessed our infrastructure, the staff—both teaching and non-teaching—the books, and the logistics that were necessary,” he said.

“We could have piloted the scheme to see how well it would work, especially in anticipation of the increased number of students since it had become free.”

The Krontihene likened the hurried implementation to the sentiment in Frank Sinatra’s famous lyrics: “Fools rush in where angels and wise men tread cautiously. Fools will rush in with reckless abandonment.”

He added, “It was a good policy, a good idea, but we could have done it better.”

His comments highlight a widespread debate about the Free SHS program.

While its objectives have been lauded for increasing access to education, critics have pointed out logistical challenges, such as overcrowded classrooms, overburdened teachers, and inadequate resources, all stemming from insufficient preparation.

“Free SHS was good. It gave many children access to education, but it could have been executed in a more deliberate manner. Rushing such a monumental policy is not the mark of wisdom,” he said.