Minority to scrutinise Free SHS Bill thoroughly – Nortsu-Kotoe

Minority in Parliament has indicated that the Caucus would push for a dedicated fund for the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in the proposed legislation by the government.

This comes on the back of Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s revelation on Tuesday, June 11, about the government’s plans to introduce a bill to sustain the Free SHS policy.

Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament and MP for Akatsi North Constituency, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, emphasised that the Minority is committed to thoroughly examining the bill to ensure its “longevity and effectiveness”, once it is laid on the floor of Parliament.“Is there going to be any dedicated funding for the free SHS? I will demand that, and that will be my first preoccupation. Because you just don’t come and bring a bill, and then the bill says that no government should change anything about the Free SHS.”

“You cannot do that. Only the constitution can make entrenched provisions, but not an act of Parliament, so we will look at all those things when the bill is presented.”

According to Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe, the NPP government is trying to use the policy as a political weapon against the NDC, stressing that this tactic will not succeed as the Minority will conduct thorough investigations once the bill is presented in parliament.

“You have six months to leave office, then you are coming to give it [Free SHS] legal backing to tie the hands of any government that will succeed you.

“That is what they want to do. And then thinking that they will use it as a political tool, or that when they bring it to Parliament, NDC will oppose it,” the Akatsi North legislator stated.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin has justified the introduction of a free SHS bill that is set to be presented to Parliament by the government.He noted that when the bill is presented and approved by Parliament, any government that attempts to stop the implementation will be sued by citizens.