THE VISITING Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley, has lauded the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy in Ghana.
He disclosed that he was a direct beneficiary of a similar free secondary education policy back in his country, which has helped him to become a Prime Minister today.
According to him, the social intervention programme would help the country to produce well-educated leaders who would transform Ghana in the near future.
Dr. Rowley, who says he comes from a humble background, stated that but for that free secondary school policy, he would certainly have been a school dropout and would not have become a prominent person in society.
He, therefore, commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for having the courage and vision to introduce the Free SHS policy to boost Ghana’s human resource for future development.
Dr. Rowley was the guest of honour during Ghana’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary celebrations, which took place at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
Delivering a touching address during a dinner at the Manhyia Palace later on Friday after the 63rd Independence Anniversary, the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister said free secondary school had helped him a lot.
“I come from a family of six siblings. I am last of the six. Five boys never went to school,” he revealed.
“My sister and I went to high school because Dr. Eric Williams (1st Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago), a name that you are familiar with, did in 1962 what your President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has just done.
“He brought free secondary school to us, and that singular opportunity produced formed this family; a prime minister, the first person in the family to go to high school, and my sister, the second person to go to high school. She became an administrator in public service,” he said.
Without mincing words, Dr. Rowley saluted President Akufo-Addo for his vision and bold step to introduce the Free SHS programme, stressing that Ghana would benefit greatly from the policy.
“I would like to congratulate you on joining us in Trinidad and Tobago in contributing to this vision of what we can be once the opportunities are there,” he said, attracting applause from his audience.
Hosted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in the gardens of the Manhyia Palace, the dinner formed part of activities marking Ghana’s Independence Day and it was graced by President Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi