Nana Takyi Poku Gyimah
Nana Takyi Poku Gyimah, the Chief of Yefri in the Nkoranza North Constituency of the Bono East Region, has taken a swipe at critics of the double track system that was witnessed during the early stages of the introduction of Free Senior High School (SHS).
He described their criticisms as baseless and senseless, particularly when the same people are now struggling to convince Ghanaians with a certain 24-hour economy proposal.
The chief, who is a renowned educationist with the Ghana Education Service (GES), noted that following the introduction of the Free SHS policy, school enrollment had increased overwhelmingly compelling government to think outside the box to come out with a stopgap measure to deal with the challenges. This, he said, was what occasioned the double track system as a way of making maximum use of scarce resources.
Despite the utility of this measure, critics of the policy bastardised the double track system and claimed it was evidence of ill-preparation on the part of the policymakers and implementers. Nana Takyi made these remarks when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, paid a courtesy call on him on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his palace.
These critics, however, are now proposing to implement a supposed 24-hour economy where people will work both day and night (24 hours) in the form of a shift system. According to the chief, it makes no sense that people who do not appreciate the ingenuity associated with double track system to be the lead proponents of a certain 24-hour economy.
It is therefore not surprising that they have, till date, not been able to explain to Ghanaians what they really mean by a 24-hour economy. The chief also used the occasion to eulogise the NPP government for bringing development to his area. He singled out the party’s 2024 running mate, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, for his courage and boldness in spearheading the Free SHS implementation.
He also commended the former Education Minister for bringing in the double track system as a stopgap measure to deal with the initial implementation challenges. Such boldness on the part of a political leader, according to the chief, is what is required to deal with the myriad of challenges facing the country.
On his part, Dr. Opoku Prempeh thanked the chief for appreciating the good works of the NPP government, and urged him and his subjects to continue to put their confidence in the party. He rallied their support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s bold solutions for the country’s future, and pleaded with them to vote massively for the presidential candidate and the party’s parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza North Constituency, Jacqueline Boatemaa Bonsu.