Johnson Ayine has criticized the National Democratic Congress government over the implementation of its “stress-free” tertiary education policy, arguing that the initiative has failed to fully deliver on campaign promises made to students.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today program hosted by James Nana Tsiquaye, Ayine said the NDC promised students would enter tertiary institutions without paying admission-related fees, but the current reimbursement arrangement places the burden on parents and students first.
“The promise was that students would go stress-free. But now people have to find money, pay first and wait for reimbursement,” he said.
Ayine argued that the reimbursement system defeats the original purpose of the promise because some students struggle to raise admission fees before being refunded.
He acknowledged that some students have received reimbursements but maintained that others were still waiting.
“Some have gotten the money, some haven’t. The promise was not about refunding later,” he said.
Ayine compared the situation to the former NPP government’s implementation of Free Senior High School, saying the Akufo-Addo administration also faced criticism despite rolling out the policy nationwide.
He defended the Free SHS policy, noting that many beneficiaries have gone on to achieve academic and professional success.
“As we speak, we have Akufo-Addo Free SHS graduates who are now medical doctors and lawyers,” he stated.
Ayine further dismissed claims that Ghana’s economic difficulties under the previous administration alone caused the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo government had managed the economy effectively before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economies.
“Akufo-Addo prioritized human life over the economy during COVID-19,” he said.
He argued that many voters became attracted to future-oriented promises by the NDC rather than appreciating policies already implemented by the NPP government.
Johnson Ayine has criticized the National Democratic Congress government over the implementation of its “stress-free” tertiary education policy, arguing that the initiative has failed to fully deliver on campaign promises made to students.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today program hosted by James Nana Tsiquaye, Ayine said the NDC promised students would enter tertiary institutions without paying admission-related fees, but the current reimbursement arrangement places the burden on parents and students first.
“The promise was that students would go stress-free. But now people have to find money, pay first and wait for reimbursement,” he said.
Ayine argued that the reimbursement system defeats the original purpose of the promise because some students struggle to raise admission fees before being refunded.
He acknowledged that some students have received reimbursements but maintained that others were still waiting.
“Some have gotten the money, some haven’t. The promise was not about refunding later,” he said.
Ayine compared the situation to the former NPP government’s implementation of Free Senior High School, saying the Akufo-Addo administration also faced criticism despite rolling out the policy nationwide.
He defended the Free SHS policy, noting that many beneficiaries have gone on to achieve academic and professional success.
“As we speak, we have Akufo-Addo Free SHS graduates who are now medical doctors and lawyers,” he stated.
Ayine further dismissed claims that Ghana’s economic difficulties under the previous administration alone caused the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo government had managed the economy effectively before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economies.
“Akufo-Addo prioritized human life over the economy during COVID-19,” he said.
He argued that many voters became attracted to future-oriented promises by the NDC rather than appreciating policies already implemented by the NPP government.
