The 2012 presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for kicking against his free Senior High School education policy, which he (Akufo-Addo) said will boost the knowledge base of the Ghanaian youth. Nana Addo described President Mahama, who is also the presidential candidate for the ruling National Democratic Congress as someone who has seen the light, but is doing everything possible to prevent others from seeing that same light which has made him what he is today. According to Nana Akufo-Addo, president John Dramani Mahama is a beneficiary of the late president Nkrumah’s Free education policy in the Northern part of Ghana, which he said contributed to his current status as President of the republic of Ghana. Addressing Chiefs and people of the Akyem-Swedru Constituency in the Eastern Region on Tuesday on the first day of his restoration of hope tour, Nana Addo questioned the rationale behind President Mahama’s decision to counter free SHS education, which he said helped him and many others in the country. He rubbished the claim by the NDC that, the free SHS policy can only be achieved after 20 years due to lack of finance and other related matters. The NPP flagbearer said his government if elected, will manage the country’s resources judiciously and invest heavily in education since that forms part of the basis and foundation for the economic transformation Ghanaians are yearning for. “The time for free SHS is now, we cannot wait for 20 years before our children go to school. We will get money and implement it next academic year when Ghanaians give us the mandate,” Akufo-Addo said passionately. Nana-Addo pledged to the chiefs and people of Akyem-Swedru that his administration when given the mandate, will keep the covenant they have with the people of Ghana. “I am not like other politicians who say we will reduce petrol price drastically but increase it drastically after given the mandate, I am not the one who will tell you that I will reduce utility bills but increase it drastically when given the mandate, I am not the one who will say I will improve your living condition or standard but worsen it when I get your mandate, no. I am coming to serve you with truth, honesty, integrity and transparency, that will be the hallmark of the next NPP administration,” he assured.