Speaking in a media interview reportedly aired on GHOne TV, Cudjoe indicated that the meeting took place when Akufo-Addo was still a presidential candidate.
According to him, the discussion involved a small group of policy analysts who examined the long-term implications of the Free SHS programme, including projected student enrolment and the financial burden on the state.
Cudjoe explained that the session focused on data-driven projections and sustainability concerns.
He and his colleagues are said to have presented analysis on how increasing enrolment under a fully free system could significantly impact government expenditure over time.
However, Cudjoe further claimed that after Akufo-Addo assumed office and rolled out the policy, engagement with such policy advice appeared to decline.
He was quoted as saying that at a certain point, he felt that his input, along with that of other experts, was no longer being considered.
These remarks, while widely circulated on social media, should be treated as claims attributed to Cudjoe.
The full context of the interview and the exact wording of his comments have not been independently verified across multiple major news platforms at the time of reporting.
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, remains one of Ghana’s most significant social intervention programmes. It was designed to remove financial barriers to secondary education and has contributed to a sharp increase in enrolment across the country. Many families have benefited directly, with reduced education costs and improved access to schooling.
At the same time, the policy has sparked ongoing debate among economists, education experts, and policymakers.
Concerns have been raised about funding sustainability, infrastructure pressure, quality of education, and long-term fiscal impact on the national budget.
Cudjoe’s reported comments add to this broader conversation, highlighting the gap that can sometimes exist between policy design and implementation.
His account suggests that early technical consultations may not always translate into sustained advisory influence once political leadership transitions into governance.
For Ghana, the issue goes beyond political debate. Education policy is closely tied to workforce development, economic growth, and social mobility.
Decisions around funding and implementation can directly affect classroom conditions, teacher workload, and the quality of outcomes for students nationwide.
As discussions continue, stakeholders are likely to focus on how to strengthen policy feedback mechanisms and ensure that expert input remains part of ongoing reforms. This is particularly relevant as Ghana navigates economic constraints while maintaining large-scale social programmes.
While the Free SHS policy remains widely supported by many Ghanaians, questions about its long-term structure and sustainability continue to shape public discourse.