NPP, IMANI-Ghana Cross Swords Over $1bn Free SHS Policy

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said it will not debate policy think-tank, IMANI-Ghana, on the cost of its proposed free second cycle education if it wins the December elections. The think-tank, which has come under fire recently and has been touted as an appendage of the NPP by government officials, has projected about US$1.1 billion as the total cost of the policy for four years, an amount three times more than the NPP�s figure of US$400 million. According to the Franklin Cudjoe-led IMANI since the policy aims at expanding enrolment and shifting the cost burden of secondary education from private individuals to the public purse, it will raise the budget deficit of the country. However, Boakye Agyarko, the campaign manager of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, told Citi News the party will implement the policy at any cost. �It is a question as to whether we as a nation are willing to make the personal sacrifices to make sure that the children and the youth of this country get quality education,� Mr. Agyarko said. �We can�t make education a matter of money otherwise it is only the rich whose children will go to school.� He added: �We don�t want that kind of division in this country. It will not be good for our unity. If we say free public secondary school education, it must indeed be free. �If you are a rich man and you choose to send your children to Lincoln that�s your choice.�