The Paramount Chief of the Yagaba Traditional Area, Na Sugru Wuni Mumuni, says the Free SHS introduced President Akufo-Addo has reduced the rate at which indigenes travel to the South to become head potters 'kayayei'.

The Yagaba Chief made this known on May 17, 2019, when he held a durbar in honour of President Akufo-Addo at Yagaba, on Day 2 of the President’s tour of the North East Region.

He said: “Your flagship programmes such as the Free Senior High School Education will forever go down in the history of this country as the most people-centred policy that helped in alleviating poverty in this country.”

“The Free SHS has helped in reducing kayayei in Mamprugu Moagduri because your government takes care of school fees, and the students do not need to travel down south to engage in menial jobs in order to enable them pay their fees,” the chief added.

Na Sugru Wuni Mumuni added that: “Many were those who said you will never fulfill this campaign promise. In fact, the sceptics said you were simply desperate for power, hence the juicy and unattainable promises. The story has, however, changed today. People from this part of the country could never dream of enrolling into the known prestigious schools, mostly located in the southern sector.”

Buttressing his point, the chief stated that not less than 20 students from the Mamprugu Moagduri district have been admitted to schools such as Prempeh College, Adisadel College and other prestigious senior high schools in the country.

The Yagaba chief noted that: “Ever since you were voted into power by the overwhelming people of this country, you have never let us down. You inspire and keep inspiring hope in the good people of this country.”

He expressed the appreciation of the chiefs and people of Yagaba to the President for initiating pro-poor policies.

“Mr President, this area is predominantly a farming community. Your social intervention policy of Planting for Food and Jobs led to a bountiful harvest in this district. Fertiliser subsidies under this flagship programme have boosted our local economy,” he said.

Na Sugru Wuni Mumuni also thanked President Akufo-Addo for the “expansion of the LEAP programme”, which, he said, “has equally reduced economic and social suffering. We continue to pray that all of these initiatives and those yet to come will move Ghana beyond aid as you have envisioned.”