The controversy surrounding the actual number of beneficiaries of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program has been clarified by Kwasi Kwarteng, the former Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education. The debate arose from a discrepancy between the 5.7 million figure touted by the previous administration and the substantially lower numbers presented in official government reports. Kwarteng attributes this discrepancy to a financial accounting method employed by the Ministry of Finance, which resulted in an inflated beneficiary count. This method, used for budgetary purposes, counts each student for every year they are enrolled in the program, effectively counting a single student three times over their three-year high school duration.
The core issue lies in the difference between cumulative counting for budgeting and the actual number of individual students who have benefited from the program. While the Ministry of Finance’s cumulative approach is useful for allocating resources year by year, it doesn’t accurately represent the total number of distinct individuals who have received free education. This distinction has led to the confusion and conflicting figures circulating in public discourse. Kwarteng emphasizes that the Ministry of Education has consistently used actual enrollment figures in its reporting, which provides a more accurate representation of the number of individual beneficiaries.
Fact-Check Ghana, an independent fact-checking organization, analyzed the data presented in the 2024 mid-year budget review and found the total number of Free SHS beneficiaries from 2017 to 2024 to be 3,135,754. This figure is significantly lower than the 5.7 million claimed by the previous government, a difference of over 2.5 million. This discrepancy prompted scrutiny and raised questions about the accuracy of the previously reported numbers. The current Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has initiated an audit to further investigate and reconcile the figures.
Kwarteng further clarifies that based on annual enrollment figures from the Free SHS Secretariat, the accurate number of beneficiaries up to 2024 is 3,511,733. This figure aligns with the data consistently used by the Ministry of Education in its official communications. This clarification underscores the importance of using consistent and transparent reporting methods to avoid confusion and maintain public trust in government data. The Ministry of Education has consistently based its funding requests on these enrollment figures, ensuring that the allocated resources accurately reflect the number of students benefiting from the program.
The clarification provided by Kwarteng addresses the confusion surrounding the Free SHS beneficiary numbers. He highlights the difference between the cumulative counting method used for budgeting and the actual enrollment figures, which represent the number of individual students who have benefited. The discrepancy arose from the use of different accounting methods, not from any deliberate misrepresentation. The Ministry of Education’s consistent use of enrollment figures ensures a more accurate portrayal of the program’s reach.
This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in government reporting. The use of different accounting methods without proper explanation can lead to misunderstandings and erode public trust. The ongoing audit initiated by the current Minister of Education will further clarify the figures and ensure accurate reporting moving forward. This transparency is crucial for maintaining accountability and allowing for effective evaluation of the Free SHS program’s impact and reach.
