In his final State of the Nation Address on January 3, 2025, President Nana Akufo-Addo celebrated the achievements in Ghana’s education sector, particularly emphasizing the impact of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme introduced in 2017.

A major focus of his address was the improvement in student performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over the years.

He highlighted significant gains in pass rates for core subjects from 2016 to 2024:

English: Pass rates increased from 51.6% in 2016 to 69.52% in 2024. Integrated Science: Pass rates rose from 48.35% in 2016 to 58.77% in 2024. Mathematics: Pass rates jumped from 33.12% in 2016 to 66.86% in 2024.

However, a review of the 2016 data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) revealed slight inaccuracies in the figures cited by the president:

English: 53.19% passed in 2016 (1.6 percentage points higher than the president’s figure of 51.6%). Integrated Science: 48.48% passed (0.15 percentage points higher than the 48.35% claimed). Mathematics: 32.8% passed (0.32 percentage points lower than the president’s stated 33.12%).

While these discrepancies are minor, they underscore the importance of precise data in official addresses to foster public trust and informed discussions on national progress.

President Akufo-Addo’s address underscored the transformative impact of the Free SHS programme, which expanded access to secondary education for thousands of Ghanaian students.

The improved pass rates in 2024—69.52% in English, 58.77% in Integrated Science, and 66.86% in Mathematics—highlight the programme’s role in enhancing educational outcomes.

The administration’s investments in school infrastructure, teacher training, and educational resources were pivotal in achieving these results.

The data, verified by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), reflects the programme’s positive influence on the quality of education in Ghana.

Despite the minor inaccuracies in the 2016 figures, the president’s tenure has undeniably marked significant progress in the education sector.

Accurate representation of historical data is crucial to maintaining the credibility of these achievements and ensuring that the narrative of progress remains undisputed.

President Akufo-Addo’s legacy in education, particularly through the Free SHS initiative, will remain a cornerstone of his administration’s contributions to Ghana’s development.