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The firm assurance by the president that the free public senior high school education for all qualified students is an indication of better things to come under the Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party government.

“The proposal made during the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections for all of Ghana’s children to attend public Senior High School for free is the beginning of that vision. We now have the opportunity to make the vision real. The government of Ghana will fund the cost of public Senior High Schools for all those who qualify for entry from the 2017/2018 academic year onwards.”

These were the words of the President when he delivered the keynote address at the 60th anniversary celebration of Okuapemman School as the Guest Speaker.

It is very instructive to hear the President give an indication that he prefers that the proceeds from the oil and other resources are channeled into educating the masses other than leaving them to end in the pockets of few Ghanaians.

“My government has made education one of its topmost priorities. It is time to use the proceeds from our natural resources to help educate the population to drive our economic transformation. Instead of the revenues from our mineral and oil resources ending up in the hands of a few people, I am of the firm belief that the most equitable and progressive way of using these revenues is to educate and empower our population.”

We are happy the Akufo-Addo-led government has set its priority right. The fact of the matter is that when every child in the country gets access to free and quality education it will enable them to compete favourably with their peers elsewhere, irrespective of their backgrounds, knowing very well that “Knowledge is power.”

Unlike what was witnessed some years ago when the revenue accrued from our oil and other natural resources was used on unproductive ventures, such as bus branding, payment of questionable judgment debts, among others, President Nana Akufo-Addo has given the clearest indication that the nation’s resources are now going to be utilized for the collective good of the citizenry. And choosing education as the major area for the channeling is the resources means he appreciate what needs to be done to ensure sustainable development.

The development of every nation depends on the youth. And having a well-educated youth in a country like Ghana is a sine qua non for the accelerated development we have been yearning for over the years.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has shown he is determined to spend the country’s resources in ways that will promote the national agenda. But he cannot do it all alone. We are therefore calling on all Ghanaians, especially those placed at the helm of affairs, to buy into the vision of the president on education and ensure its full realization.