Free SHS in private schools is ‘unconstitutional’ – Majority Leader

The majority leader in the Ghanaian Parliament, Hon. Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said the next Mahama’s government decision to include private schools in the Free SHS programme goes contrary to the 1992 constitution.

According to the politician, the Republic of Ghana 1992 constitution does not support funding of private education and that any move to defy the law would require a referendum

The Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, comment follows the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) promise to include private Senior High Schools in the Free SHS programme should their flag bearer John Mahama win the upcoming elections scheduled for December 7, 2020.

Hon. Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu speaking in an interview with the Kumasi-based Angel 96.1 FM monitored by Georgeweb.org said “I said to myself when I heard their promise that this man should be careful about some of the things he says”

He further quoted Article 25 Clause 2 of the 1992 Constitution which states that “Every person shall have the right, at his own expense, to establish and maintain a private school or schools at all levels and of such categories and in accordance with such conditions as may be provided by law.”

The Ghanaian urban planner noted the constitutions indicates an individual who has the resources to establish a private school must do so at their own cost “with no financial support from the central government”.

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“So if you say you will fund private schools with government money, it offends the constitution; the Article 25 is an entrenched provision, so if you want to change it, you must conduct a referendum according to the constitution; so I get worried listening to him at times and wonder if he would want to abide by the constitution or not”, the MP added.