Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Critiques NDC’s Management of Free SHS at NPP National Delegates Conference

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has raised significant concerns regarding the current state of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme under President John Mahama’s administration. Speaking at the NPP National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on October 3, 2025, Bawumia asserted that the flagship education policy is "suffering" due to what he described as poor management and a lack of commitment from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). He suggested that the gains made under the previous administration are being eroded by the current government's handling of the sector.

The NPP leader highlighted several operational challenges that have reportedly intensified since the change of government in January 2025. Specifically, Dr. Bawumia pointed to deteriorating feeding arrangements for students and significant difficulties in the school placement process for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates. Furthermore, he noted the continued implementation of the double-track system, arguing that the NDC has failed to provide a clear roadmap for transitioning away from the staggered academic calendar despite their previous criticisms of the system.

Bawumia framed these current challenges as evidence of the NDC's long-standing skepticism toward the Free SHS initiative. He contended that as the original architects and initiators of the programme, the NPP remains the only party capable of managing and sustaining it effectively. According to the flagbearer, the current conditions in senior high schools across the country validate the NPP's earlier warnings that the programme would be at risk if the NDC were to return to power.

As education remains a central pillar of Ghanaian political discourse, these criticisms signal that the management of Free SHS will continue to be a primary battleground for the two major parties. With the NPP positioning itself as the primary defender of the policy, the Mahama administration faces increasing pressure to address the logistical and financial hurdles currently impacting the secondary education sector. The coming months will likely see further debate on how to improve the sustainability and quality of the programme amid these political tensions.