Election 2024: Free SHS policy to come under scrutiny
By Prof. Samuel Lartey
Introduction
FOOD security remains a critical factor in any nation’s development, and Ghana is no exception. The intermittent food shortages that the country has experienced in recent years have not only impacted the general population but also strained the educational system, particularly the Free Senior High School (SHS) program.
Since its inception in 2017, the Free SHS policy has been a flagship initiative of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), spearheaded by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. While the program has expanded access to education for millions of Ghanaians, its sustainability is being increasingly questioned due to rising food prices and food supply inconsistencies, which threaten students’ health, learning outcomes, and future prospects.
The 2024 General Election will be critical for the NPP as voters assess the impact of the government’s policies on food security and its cascading effects on education and the economy.
The State of Food Supply in Ghana
Ghana’s agricultural sector, which employs about 33% of the population, plays a vital role in food supply. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, post-harvest losses, rising fuel prices, and underfunding.
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Ghana produced about 19.3 million metric tons of food in 2023, a slight decrease from 21.1 million metric tons in 2020.
This decline, combined with inflationary pressures, has led to periodic food shortages, particularly in urban centers, causing food prices to soar. In 2023, inflation reached an all-time high of 54.1%, with food inflation accounting for nearly 70% of the total.
In Ghanaian homes, the inclusion of meat and fish in meals has historically symbolised not just nourishment but also a sense of wealth and well-being.
Families often showcase a variety of meats and fishes in traditional dishes like jollof rice, banku with tilapia, fufu with light soup, and waakye to elevate the meal’s nutritional value and reflect the importance of providing a well-rounded, healthful diet.
In Ghanaian culture, these protein-rich foods signify more than sustenance; they communicate an assurance of good health and a level of affluence, reflecting the cultural value placed on feeding loved ones with dignity and care.
However, this cultural expectation has come under pressure due to economic hardships, rising food prices, and food scarcity.
For many households, the cost of maintaining diets rich in meats and fish has become challenging, affecting not only daily nutrition but also the larger socioeconomic systems.
In the context of the Free Senior High School (SHS) system, this challenge becomes even more pronounced. Schools that provide meals as part of the Free SHS policy have had to grapple with the rising costs of these vital protein sources, sometimes compromising meal quality and portion sizes due to budget constraints and food supply shortages.
The impact of this food scarcity on the Free SHS system is multifaceted. First, it affects students’ nutrition, which is directly linked to their cognitive abilities, energy levels, and overall academic performance.
A lack of adequate protein and balanced diets can lead to fatigue, reduced concentration, and lower learning outcomes. Since many students rely on school-provided meals as their primary source of nutrition, any decline in meal quality can have long-term developmental consequences.
At the community and socioeconomic levels, the struggle to maintain adequate protein in diets reflects broader economic vulnerabilities. Homes and communities face increased financial strain to ensure proper nutrition, and this economic stress can lead to social inequities, where only wealthier families can afford consistently nutritious meals. This dynamic exacerbates disparities in education, health, and social mobility, as those from less affluent backgrounds may struggle to achieve the same outcomes as their wealthier peers.
The cultural emphasis on showcasing meats and fish as signs of health and wealth has significant implications for Ghana’s Free SHS system and broader socioeconomic frameworks.
Addressing food scarcity and inflation is crucial to ensure that nutritional standards are upheld, benefiting not only individual students but also fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
Impact on Health and Learning in the Free SHS System
The Free SHS program, which covers tuition, textbooks, and meals for students, depends heavily on the availability of food supplies to ensure that students receive the nutrition they need to focus on their studies.
Food shortages and price hikes have led to reduced meal portions and sometimes lower-quality food being served in SHS dining halls. According to a report by the Ghana Education Service (GES), some schools have reduced the number of meals provided to students, leading to malnutrition and decreased concentration during lessons.
Data from the Ministry of Education indicates that 65% of students in the Free SHS system come from low-income households. For these students, the meals provided at school may be their primary source of daily nutrition.
When food supplies are inconsistent, these students suffer more severely from the nutritional deficits, leading to long-term impacts on their cognitive and physical development.
Malnourished students are more likely to experience stunted growth, lower IQ scores, and reduced academic performance, all of which undermine the very objectives of the Free SHS policy.
Economic and Political Ramifications
The broader economic implications of intermittent food shortages cannot be overlooked. The rising cost of food has led to increased household expenditures, leaving less disposable income for parents to invest in other educational resources for their children.
This economic strain also extends to the government. In 2023, the NPP government allocated GH₵1.2 billion to the Free SHS program, but much of this budget has been stretched thin due to the escalating costs of food supplies.
The Ghana National Buffer Stock Company, tasked with supplying food to schools, has frequently reported supply chain disruptions caused by delayed payments to suppliers, fuel price hikes, and logistical issues.
As food shortages intensify, public dissatisfaction has grown. In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, this dissatisfaction could be a major factor in how Ghanaians vote. The NPP’s handling of food security and the Free SHS program will likely be a focal point in the campaign, with opposition parties criticizing the government for failing to ensure adequate food supply while pushing ambitious social programs.
Food Inflation and Its Economic Impact
From 2017 to 2023, the price of maize, a staple in Ghanaian diets, increased by over 150%, rising from GH₵125 per 100 kg in 2017 to GH₵320 per 100 kg in 2023. Similarly, the price of rice, another essential food item, surged by over 100% during the same period.
These rising costs have not only affected individual households but have also inflated the operational costs of schools under the Free SHS program.
In 2022, the Ministry of Finance revealed that the government had spent GH₵7.7 billion on food imports, further straining national reserves.
With Ghana’s current account deficit widening to 3.4% of GDP, the government has limited fiscal space to continue subsidizing the Free SHS program without addressing the food supply issue.
Political Destiny of the NPP in the 2024 Election
As the 2024 general election approaches, food security and education will be central issues in political debates. The NPP, under the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, must address the food supply challenges that have plagued the Free SHS program and ensure that the rising costs of food do not derail the initiative.
Opposition parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), are likely to focus on these weaknesses, positioning themselves as better equipped to manage Ghana’s agricultural sector and educational policies.
The political destiny of the NPP will largely depend on its ability to stabilize food prices, strengthen agricultural output, and improve food supply chains. Failure to address these issues could lead to significant electoral losses, especially among rural voters and families with children enrolled in the Free SHS system.
Conclusion
The intermittent food shortages in Ghana have far-reaching implications beyond mere nutrition. They affect the health, learning, and prospects of millions of students, particularly those benefiting from the Free SHS program.
As food prices continue to rise, the government’s ability to sustain its flagship educational policy will come under scrutiny. The NPP’s prospects in the 2024 General Election may hinge on how well it can address this food security challenges, while ensuring that the Free SHS system remains robust and beneficial for future generations. The outcome will not only shape the future of the Free SHS policy but could also define Ghana’s political and economic trajectory for years to come.
Prof. Samuel Lartey
sammylaatey@yahoo.com
