We know nothing about ‘campaign activities’ of alleged Free SHS Ambassadors – Education Ministry

The Ministry of Education has distanced itself from the activities of purported ambassadors of the Free Senior High School who are visiting various second cycle institutions to campaign for the government, ABC News can report.

In a viral video on social media, a young man in a blue Lacoste with Free SHS Ambassador embossed on it is heard talking to students of a yet-to-be-identified Senior High School about the policy and the need to show appreciation to the government for the intervention.

The Ministry, in a press release signed by the Communications Director, Ekow Vincent Assafuah, explained that i “wishes to state emphatically that government has not appointed or mandated any person or persons as Free SHS Ambassadors to go round Senior High School campuses in the country to campaign for the government of President Akufo-Addo.”

The opposition National Democratic Congress descended heavily on the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education for permitting such activities alleging that it amounts to an abuse of incumbency by the government.

The NDC recounted the backlash its Organising Secretary, Joshua Akamba, faced for visiting and engaging in political activities in some Senior High Schools in the heat of the campaign leading up to the party’s presidential aspirant election.

The opposition party stressed, “We in the NDC are appalled and disgusted by this act of political desperation on the part of the Akufo-Addo government, especially at a time when the Ghana Education Service claims to have outlawed all politically-related activities on the campuses of Senior High Schools.”

“The hypocrisy of the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) in turning a blind eye on such infractions to the tranquillity of the teaching and learning environment in our Senior High Schools must be roundly condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians, especially Parents and Guardians,” the party went on to state in a press statement signed by Sammy Gyamfi, its National Communication Officer.

The Ministry, taking note of the reservations of members of the public and the opposition party, has pledged to commence “investigations to ascertain the facts surrounding the video circulating on social media and other related issues.”