Former Deputy Finance Minister, Mona Helen Quartey has cast doubt on government’s ability to fulfill the free SHS policy this year.
The NPP government’s flagship programme, according to President Akufo-Addo will kickstart September, 2017.
However, there has been controversy over the aspect of funding in the free SHS policy after Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo said government will be considering Oil and Gas Heritage Fund to finance it.
The Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori Atta has publicly dismissed the proposition by Senior Minister Yaw Osarfo Maafo that government intends to run the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy with the Heritage Fund.
The Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, Nana Akomea in a discussion on Joy FM Saturday also disapproved the position of Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo on the subject, insisting that the Senior Minister’s views were not informed by the policy position of the government, thus “he was thinking aloud”.
“So let’s wait and see what funding streams will be identified in both the Sectional Address and the Budget. And then we can debate the sustainability of those sources,” he added.
But the former Minister of the erstwhile Mahama administration, Mona Quartey said on Joy FM’s News File analyses programme that there are several factors the ruling government may have to contend with that would have far-reaching consequences on the sustainability of the programme.
She said there seemed to be no careful wrought plan to make the programme operational this year.
“Where is that action plan? she questioned, saying the programme lacks clarity following the controversy on what source of funding could even be tapped into to power the free SHS policy.
“…the Budget which the Minister of Finance, Ken spoke to that there is an envelope that he’s hoping to tap into, we are wondering which envelope that is in the context of the IMF programme that we’re in now and the fact that we’re even having difficulties achieving some of the targets of benchmarks that we’re supposed to achieve. And also in the absence of Central Bank funding. So one would ask exactly how is this thing going to be done?
Source: kasapafmonline.com
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I was surprised this Mona woman is asking for a plan for free SHS when the govt have not even nominated deputy ministers yet... it is far too early to be asking for this. All that this NDC people are very cleaver at is sti.ling from the state to enrich themselves.
HEERRRR MONA, WO YE KWA.SIAAA PAAA. NOW YOU HAVE MOUTH TO TALK, AFTER ***barred word*** US TO BUY JEWELRIES AND EXPENSIVE LACE FABRICS TO SHOW OFF. WHAT DID YOU HELP YOUR FOO.LIS.H GOVERNMENT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE IN POWER. ABOOWA NKYE WO NWE WATE.
Look he too. ***barred word*** . What did you do in the ministry? Just preparing tea? ***barred word***
***barred word*** you wai mona
Where from this one too? what does she know?
Eii, Mona don't worry the programme will start and any problems encountered along the way will be solved. We will understand it. At least it is not the failed Hedging which as Head of Treasury when you were in the then Ashanti Goldfields Company.
Mona is playing politics so the least said about her comments on the Newsfile Program the better. They planned for SADA but we saw what they implemented -$500 million in the drain. Don't mind these borrowing brigades who ruin our lovely country and made dumso the order of the day.
Mona Ceasar!! Today you are debating on behalf of the NDC?? Please don't start. A new govt is in power and we must allow them to roll out their programs and then you in opposition can critique it. The criticisms are needed to improve upon all proposals. Where have you been all this time? Even during your 'reign' you were never articulate in your explanations. I met you on many forums and you were not clear at all in any of your submissions. I guess you now have done some research on financing SHS. Please!!!
Oh Mine GOD !!!!!!!; so today Mona Quartey too has come out of her NDC 'RAT HOLE' to pipe out her thoughts and even wants a foward plan for her to scritinise and criticise ; what was this lady doing when she was in givernment ; did as the deputy fiance minister ; all she did was to encourage the easy way out to manage the econmy which was ' massive borrowing strategy' because once they fulled the banks and the IMF and got the loans ; there were no creativity by her NDC government ; why should somebody initiate a plan and give it to Mona Quartey to invigilate in a the media ; the question would the lady understand such plan ; the fact is that the strategy of implementing such Free SHS education is a well thought out plan by NANa Addo years before the man became president ; this plan was born out of conviction that each child in Ghana should enjoy free education as he Nana Addo ; Jon Mahama ; JJ Rawlings and most of our leaders who are over 55 years enjoyed when they were children ; where would most of our leaders be without free education today; the plan is simple ; re-priotising the budget and placing relevance of projects that would assist Ghanaian parents and not project initiatives that will help Jon Mahama and his family and NDc cronies through 'CONTRACT MANAGEMENT ' with sole sourcing as a tool used to share and distribute contracts Jon Mahama ; stillers projects that are not relevant will be STOPPED by Nana Addo !!!!!;there will be macro-economic initiatives to reduce taxes to enable people to pay their taxes rather than dodge taxes; tax collection will be intensified; massive borrowing call 'smart borrowing 'under the NDC which does not make sense will be stopped; intensive wastage in the economy will be identified like importing of cars by the NDC government and sold on the cheap to NDC members like Kofi Adames will be stopped ; irrelevant judgement debts will be stopped ; like Donald Trump in the USA all promises made will be fulfilled by Nana Addo ; MADAM QUARTEY JUST BE PATIENT AND SHE WILL SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL !!!!!!!!SOON !!!!!!.
I was taken aback when I heard this woman talking so loudly on news file. I can swear with my father's khaki trousers that, when she was at post, she was not elaborate on her submissions and succeeded in confusing a lot of people about the economy, anytime she talked on radio. She talked softly and very unconvincing. She has all of a sudden found her voice and joined the bandwagon of NDC propagandists. Dear madam, action plans are developed when we have firmed our policy objectives, assessed the quantum and sources of funding, determined the implementing agencies, etc. Please, be realistic and wait till things are shaped and you can bring your comments. Thank You, anyway.