Too often, scholars from the Global South are questioned on their "research scope" when they study their own countries. Should this matter? My reflection draws on thinkers such as Donna Haraway, Bent Flyvbjerg, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Pierre Bourdieu and Loic Wacquant to argue that proximity is not bias, but rather insight, and that personal connection can deepen the quality and relevance of academic research when approached with honesty and reflexivity.

What happens when cost barriers to secondary education are removed? Ghana’s FreeSHS policy, launched in 2017, led to a sharp rise in school completion, especially for girls. Our research shows that while access improved, challenges remain, including declining quality, uneven uptake, and persistent social norms. FreeSHS is not a silver bullet, but it marks a bold move toward inclusive education and offers lessons for designing sustainable public policies.