Former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has launched a scathing attack on the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration’s free tablets for senior high school students policy, labeling it as a clear attempt at vote-buying ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at a special public lecture at the Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, Mahama expressed concerns over the government’s prioritization of distributing tablets over addressing essential ongoing educational projects. He highlighted the lack of textbooks in basic schools for the past four years and criticized the allocation of funds towards providing tablets to pre-tertiary students.
Mahama argued that the timing of the initiative, coinciding with the voter registration period for pre-tertiary students, suggested political expediency aimed at enticing them to vote for the current government. He emphasized that the allocation of GH¢1.3 billion towards providing laptops to students was misplaced, with other pressing needs within the education sector requiring funding.
The former President stressed the importance of prioritizing state resources to address critical needs within the education sector, rather than using them for what he deemed as a vote-buying strategy.
Mahama’s remarks underscored the ongoing political debate surrounding the government’s educational policies and resource allocation, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. As the NDC prepares to contest the upcoming elections, Mahama’s criticism of the free tablet policy highlights the party’s stance on educational reform and resource management.
