The DIWA research-to-policy dissemination train finally arrived at Parliament of Ghana. As part of Development Impact West Africa (DIWA)’s mission to support rigorous evidence generation for informed policy decisions, we presented the findings of one of our studies on the Impact of the Free Senior High School Education Policy and Double-Track System on Quality Education Outcomes to the Education Committee of Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday, 30 July 2024.
The meeting commenced with a brief introduction by Prof. Charles Amoatey, DIWA Director, who highlighted DIWA’s establishment, mission, vision, and goals and provided an overview of studies conducted by DIWA on government flagship programmes.
Prof. Duah Dwomoh of the University of Ghana Business School | UGBS and lead investigator of the Free SHS policy evaluation, presented the study’s findings, which combined quantitative data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive analysis of the policy’s impact. The study offered a well-rounded perspective on the policy’s effectiveness. Professor Dwomoh then outlined the study’s key findings and policy recommendations.
The members of the Education Committee, including the Chairperson, Hon. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah, and the Ranking Member, Hon. Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, commended DIWA’s rigorous research. They posed several questions to gain a clearer understanding of the study’s methodologies and implications. The Committee further assured the team that these insights will guide ongoing policy reviews.
The committee also recommended that DIWA conduct a tracer study on the Free SHS policy beneficiaries’ academic performance at the university level. The presentation of these findings to Parliament marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to ensure that government policies are informed by rigorous evidence.
We remain committed to fostering collaborations with stakeholders to advance evidence-based policy decisions across the subregion.
