Ghana’s vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has vowed to improve the Free Senior High School (FSHS) program, saying it has boosted the performance of students in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) since 2015.
In his National Address on Wednesday, February 7, Bawumia said he is a trustworthy leader who deserves to be elected as the next president of Ghana in the 2024 General Election.
In addition, he mentioned that the FSHS program, which provides free education for students in public senior high schools, has increased enrollment from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.4 million by 2022. He also said the 2023 batch of students recorded the highest-ever level of enrollment in senior high school of around 500,000 students.
“The performance of the students at WASSCE is also the best since 2015, and we have also achieved gender parity. Under my government, Free SHS will continue, and we will improve upon it. Who can you trust to protect and improve Free SHS? Once again, it is Dr. Bawumia,” the vice president said.
Bawumia’s vision for Ghana
Bawumia, who is the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), spoke extensively on many issues, including improving the country’s health system, abolishing many taxes, and creating more jobs for the youth.
Moreover, he said he has a clear vision of what he wants to do from day one if Ghanaians make him president, and he will not ask for a honeymoon to cool off and think about his responsibilities.
“I am eager to serve. I am ready to work. I will work for you and with you; with honesty and integrity; with wisdom, and decisiveness. I have clarity in my mind as to what I want to do from day one if you make me president. I will not ask for a honeymoon to cool off and think about what to do with the responsibility you would give me. You know what I stand for. You know my vision.
“My vision is all about fulfilling your mission. I believe in the ingenuity of the Ghanaian. Together, we can succeed in building a progressive society of possibilities, enterprise, compassion, open opportunities, and shared prosperity for every Ghanaian, born rich or poor, born in the north or the south, born Christian or Muslim, born girl or boy,” Bawumia said.
Bawumia’s popularity and challenges
Bawumia, who is the first Muslim to lead the southern-dominated NPP, has been praised for his economic expertise and his role in implementing several digital initiatives, such as mobile money interoperability, the national identification card, and the universal QR code.
Also, he is widely seen as the favorite to win the 2024 election, as he faces former president John Mahama, who is the candidate of the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mahama, who was president from 2012 to 2017, lost to the incumbent president Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020 and has challenged the results of the latter in court.
However, Bawumia will also have to overcome some challenges, such as the allegations of corruption and mismanagement leveled against his party, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ethnic and religious divisions that may affect some voters’ choices.
Finally, Bawumia said he is confident that Ghanaians will choose him as their next leader, based on his track record and his vision for the future.
“I am asking you to trust me to lead this great nation of ours. I am asking you to believe in me. I am asking you to join me, join hands in building the Ghana we want. I am asking you to vote for me as your president in 2024. Together, we can make Ghana a better place for all of us,” he said.
Source: Modern Ghana
