Dr. Gideon Boako, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament's Finance Committee and Member of Parliament for Tano North, has strongly criticised the government's decision to finance the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program through borrowing. He argues that this approach demonstrates a clear lack of commitment to prioritising education within the national budget. This statement was made during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Dr. Boako stated that education, a critical sector for national development, should be funded primarily through Ghana's own domestic revenue. He highlighted that relying on loans for such a fundamental service imposes future repayment obligations on the country. This method of financing, he believes, sends a detrimental signal to young Ghanaians about the value the nation places on their education.
Ghana's Free SHS policy, implemented in 2017, aims to provide universal access to secondary education. While widely popular, its funding mechanism has been a recurring point of contention. The government has often faced challenges in mobilising sufficient domestic resources, leading to reliance on external financing and contributing to the national debt. This debate occurs against a backdrop of broader economic discussions about fiscal sustainability and debt management, especially following Ghana's recent engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Dr. Boako explicitly questioned the message conveyed by this borrowing strategy. He stated, "If any Ghanaian young lady or young man is listening to us today and we are telling them that we do not prioritise education such that the revenues that we generate from this country are channelled into education but rather we are going to borrow to finance secondary education, that is very sad." He stressed that access to quality secondary education is too vital to be dependent on borrowed funds.
The implications of this financing approach are significant for Ghana's public finances and its long-term economic stability. Continued reliance on borrowing for essential social programs like Free SHS could exacerbate the national debt burden, potentially limiting future fiscal space for other critical investments. Decision-makers will need to address how to sustainably fund such large-scale initiatives. This situation also prompts a closer look at the effectiveness of domestic revenue mobilisation strategies and the allocation of national resources.
The government's strategy for financing Free SHS will remain a key area of focus for economic analysts and the public. The debate underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing social development goals with fiscal prudence. Future discussions will likely revolve around exploring alternative, more sustainable funding models for education. This includes reviewing tax policies and expenditure priorities to ensure that Ghana can meet its educational commitments without compromising its financial health.