A Ghanaian journalist at Starrfm.com.gh has revealed the estimated cost of the printing of Free SHS branded T-shirts which will be distributed to about 1,274,412 students across the country.
The T-shirts are being procured by the Free Senior High School Secretariat at the office of the Presidency.
Though the cost of procuring the shirts has not been made public, the journalist uncovered that an average cost of Printing a T-shirt in Ghana ranges between Ghc20 to Ghc60 each depending on the quality.
The Ministry of Education said that there are 827,193 continuing students in the second and third-year SHSs whereas an estimated 447,219 first-year students have enrolled so far.
Hence, using an average printing price of Ghc30 per T-shirt, the Free SHS t-shirts shared to 1,274,412 students means government is spending about Ghc38,232,360.
Reports suggest that 41,215 pieces of the t-shirts have been distributed so far to about 100 public institutions in the Eastern region including Technical and Vocational Education Training institutions
However, the Public Relations Officer for Ghana Education Service at the Eastern Regional Education Directorate, Asiedu Acheampong, when contacted denied knowledge of distribution of such t-shirts to any school.
“What I am aware of is branded Cardigan of the various schools but for free SHS t-shirts I am not aware so if you can send a picture of it to me and the name of the school you took the pictures from,” he said.
Doubting the explanation by the PRO, the journalist approached the Regional Supply officer at the Regional Directorate of GES, Daniel Ayertey, on why he is distributing Free SHS branded T-shirts when he hasn’t been sanctioned to do so by the PRO.
Mr Aryertey in shock phoned the PRO – who later explained that the t-shirts were brought from Free SHS Secretariat last year to be distributed to the students free of charge.
Meanwhile, some headmasters and teachers told reporters that though the t-shirts are free, the printing cost is not free.
