Veteran Journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has
called on critics of President Nana Akufo-Addo's free SHS policy to redirect
their energies and support the initiative.Speaking on Peace
FM's 'Kokrokoo', Kweku Baako commended the President and his
government for their commitment to implement the policy.
In his attempt
to silence the naysayers of the project, Mr. Baako explained that the policy is
feasible because the money to be used to roll it out has already been stated by
the government.
Alluding to ruling NPP's Manifesto, Mr. Baako read the
government's readiness to take up the cost of the project and provide access for
all SHS students in the country.
According to him, the current
administration indicated that it would use the oil revenues to facilitate and
implement the free SHS policy.
He therefore wondered why the opposition
NDC would cast doubts over government's ability to develop the policy.
In
his view, the opposition party has refused to recognize the feasibility of the
policy because when President Akufo-Addo was detailing the nation on how his
government would implement the policy, the NDC "pretended they were speaking
Chinese. So you didn’t hear, you didn’t see and you didn’t feel, and that’s why
they lost because the people were listening. The people were sure. They were
listening. They were hearing figures. They were hearing the projections. They
were hearing the visions and you were not or you were pretending you were not.
You didn’t hear anything and that’s why you lost.”
Mr. Baako
welcomed the President's declaration that the policy would commence in September
this year stating it will enhance the progress of the nation.
“You
can have all the natural resources. (Kwami) if you have a brainless and
uneducated population, forget it . . . The man (President Nana Akufo-Addo) is
only seeking to operationalize the pledges he made in the course of the
campaign. If you go to their Manifesto, they’ve captured some there,” he
said.
He however believed there will be challenges as the government
rolls out the programme, saying "I don’t expect a smooth sailing process.
It’s never been so anywhere, especially such a far reaching policy and programme
that will accompany this policy. In rolling it out (Kwami), we will have
challenges" but advised the critics to their minds and energies in ensuring
"we will let this thing succeed".
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