Concerns raised by a portion of the public that the President mischaracterized talks of the issues of the Free Senior High School program as a campaign against the policy by Accra-based Joy FM have been dismissed by the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
President Nana Akufo-Addo lambasted opponents who accuse his government of instilling a culture of silence at a special assembly at the University of Cape Coast over the weekend, where he was awarded a doctorate degree for his educational programs.
Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained the President’s remarks in an interview with Bernard Avle, presenter of the Citi Breakfast Show.
“Nana Addo made the remarks to emphasize that we do not dispute with the usefulness or relevance of this, and he is delighted that it has been acknowledged as such, but with the intention of exploring methods to improve it. He goes on to say, “However, it is evident that there are certain people who are fundamentally trying to bring it down.”
“In his opinion, what needs to happen is an open and honest discussion about what can be done to improve things. So, if someone disagrees with his characterisation of what certain people are doing as part of a campaign against it, that person has every right to disagree,” the Information Minister added.
President Akufo-Addo defended the Free SHS policy’s success story, rejecting the debate as a campaign against it.
He did, however, state that his administration would be free to refute claims made by journalists or news organizations.
“A radio station is now waging an anti-Free SHS campaign. Is a passionate defense of the Free SHS program an affront to journalistic freedom? “I’m curious.”
Criticisms of Akufo-Addo’s comment
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, according to Africa Education Watch, has misinterpreted requests for a reassessment of the government’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Kofi Asare, Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch and one of the proponents of a review of the initiative, told Citi News that the President made a mistake.
“I believe it’s awful if the President claims that teachers in the classroom have no real concerns about the program. We haven’t expressed any concerns regarding quality or accessibility as far as we’re concerned.”
“We’re expressing concerns about the program’s operational dynamics and how financial inefficiencies are denying basic education the resources it needs to improve. We just need to take another look at the policy’s operational dynamics since it is inefficient. What occurs is that it stifles fundamental education, according to Kofi Asare.
The President has also been chastised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for claiming that a conversation on the issues confronting the Free Senior High School (SHS) program constituted a campaign against it.
Sulemana Briamah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, said the President’s remarks on the rising issue of a “culture of silence” was alarming since it did not encourage media outlets to openly criticise government policies.
“If a media outlet discusses a government policy initiative and the President says that doing so amounts to waging a campaign against the policy, other media outlets will be silent, and those who will not be silent will have to embrace the policy and find voices of support and endorsement, as well as a chorus of praise singing. This, I believe, does not improve matters, particularly when it comes from the President himself. This, I believe, is unfortunate.”
Source: CITINEWSROOM
