Mahama Hasn’t Taken Office Yet – Abass Nurudeen Slams Terkper Over Free SHS Remarks

Abass Nurudeen, the Ashanti Region Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly responded to recent remarks made by former Finance Minister Seth Terkper regarding the party’s stance on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

In a passionate statement issued on Oyerepa FM, Abass urged the party’s hierarchy to be cautious in their approach now that the NDC has won power, cautioning against potential missteps that could undermine the party’s unity and future initiatives.

“I urge the leadership to be very strategic in their actions moving forward,” Abass stated. “We must ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past that cost us dearly in 2016.”

Abass’s comments came in response to Terkper’s criticism of the NDC’s position on the Free SHS program.

Terkper, who served as Finance Minister under the Mahama administration, recently raised concerns about the feasibility of fully financing the Free SHS initiative, which was introduced by the Akufo-Addo government in 2017.

In an interview on TV3 on December 13, Terkper questioned how the incoming Mahama government would generate the necessary revenue to continue the policy, particularly in light of the promise to remove certain taxes.

Abass, however, dismissed Terkper’s remarks, emphasizing that it was premature for anyone to comment on Mahama’s policies before he officially assumes office and begins implementing them.

He expressed frustration with Terkper’s timing and the potential damage his comments could cause to the NDC’s “resetting” campaign.

“Mahama hasn’t even taken office yet, and people like Seth Terkper are already making comments that could derail his efforts to reset the country and make things right,” Abass said, his tone clearly critical.

“We cannot afford to let individuals within our ranks jeopardize the party’s chance of making a successful return to governance.”

Abass went further to highlight Terkper’s past actions, accusing him of failing to use his influence to support the NDC’s grassroots during their time in power.

He revealed how Terkper’s conduct allegedly contributed to the party’s defeat in 2016, citing his alleged collaboration with Bryan Acheampong of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during a critical time.

“People like Seth Tekper didn’t have the best interests of the party at heart in the past,” Abass argued. “Instead of helping the foot soldiers of the NDC, he worked behind the scenes with the NPP, and that is why we are in this situation today.”

Terkper’s remarks about the Free SHS program sparked further controversy when he suggested that Ghana might need to adopt a model similar to that of Europe and the United States, where free secondary education is typically limited to day schools.

He noted that while free SHS in Ghana has cost the country GHS 9.9 billion so far, it may not be sustainable without a major overhaul of the funding model. Terkper pointed out that in wealthier nations, boarding schools are typically reserved for the elite, while day schools are the norm for the majority.

“Secondary education is free in Europe and the US, but they don’t offer it the way we do in Ghana. It’s day school,” Terkper explained.

“The best governments in the world, like the US, invest in transport solutions, like yellow buses, to ensure that students can go to school.”

Abass, however, rejected Terkper’s comparison, arguing that Ghana’s context is different and that it is essential to prioritize education in a way that benefits all Ghanaians, not just the privileged few.

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