The Ghanaian Ministry of Education has dismissed assertions made by the Minority in Parliament regarding outstanding debts totalling over six billion Ghana Cedis owed to various entities involved in implementing the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Members of the Minority caucus alleged that the government had failed to settle debts amounting to GH₵300 million related to procuring 1.3 million tablets for the “One Student, One Laptop” initiative. They also claimed that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) owed GH₵224 million.
In response to these claims, Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for the Education Ministry, categorically denied them, labelling them unsubstantiated.
“The assertion that the Ministry owes over 6 billion Ghana Cedis, as claimed by the Minority in Parliament, is inaccurate. We would appreciate it if they provided further clarification and details on the source of such figures,” Kwarteng stated.
Our records indicate that we do not have outstanding debts of such magnitude to our vendors, organizations, or individuals we collaborate with. We take our financial responsibilities seriously and ensure that all funds are managed with the utmost care and transparency.
Addressing specific allegations, Kwarteng clarified the situation regarding payments for the ‘One Student, One Tablet Initiative,’ a program aimed at providing digital learning tools to students. He explained the payment structure and the performance milestones that vendors are expected to meet.
“Regarding the claim about owed payments for the ‘One Student, One Tablet Initiative,’ it’s important to note that our contractual agreements involve phased payments based on performance milestones,” Kwarteng explained.
The Ministry reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency in all financial matters related to education initiatives. We urge all stakeholders to verify information before making claims, as we believe that transparency is the key to building trust and ensuring the success of our educational programs.
The government’s Free SHS policy, a testament to our commitment to education reform, has been implemented to ensure universal access to secondary education.
This policy, which aims to alleviate financial burdens on families and enhance educational opportunities nationwide, has been a cornerstone of our efforts to transform the educational landscape in Ghana.
