https://www.watchghana.com/ Ghana's no:1 credible news website that delivers up to date Local news quick and simple, Breaking news and other relevant information on a timely basis. Easy to use website, works quickly, step-by-step and faster en-us Me (developer@w3-multimedia.com) Copyright © 2026 WatchGhana Publication, All rights reserved || Powered By W3 Multimedia Ghana Limited 1970-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12974/drop-in-wassce-2025-performance-a-reality-check-and-an-opportunity-for-correctionhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12974/drop-in-wassce-2025-performance-a-reality-check-and-an-opportunity-for-correctionBusinessman and philanthropist Seidu Agongo has described the sharp decline in the 2025 WASSCE results as a necessary national wake-up call rather than a failure. According to him, the sudden drop should be understood within the broader context of years of widespread examination malpractice that artificially inflated performance under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) system. The 2025 WASSCE results, released last week, showed significant reductions in core subject pass rates. Core Mathematics fell from 66.86% in 2024 to 48.73% in 2025, while Social Studies declined from 71.53% to 55.82%. English Language and Integrated Science also recorded slight dips. For many, these figures signal concern about quality, but Agongo believes they may instead reflect the beginning of a painful correction after years of compromised exam integrity. Agongo supports his claim by pointing to WAEC’s data, which shows an alarming rise in examination malpractices between 2017 and 2024. Between 2021 and 2024 alone, 146,309 candidates were implicated in cheating schemes. Cases shot up from 10,386 in 2021 to 62,046 in 2024, representing more than six times the initial figure. In 2024, nearly 14 percent of all candidates were involved in one form of malpractice or another. These infractions included collusion, impersonation, the smuggling of foreign materials, and the circulation of leaked papers on WhatsApp and Telegram channels. Over 532,000 subject results were withheld, and close to 39,000 were cancelled in 2024, with hundreds of entire results nullified each year. Despite the scale of the problem, Agongo argues that serious sanctions were rare until recently. That changed this year when the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service declared zero tolerance for exam cheating. Supervisors and invigilators were warned of immediate dismissal if found complicit, and candidates were encouraged to rely on genuine preparation rather than leakages. WAEC appeared to have acted firmly this time, cancelling subject results for 6,295 candidates, annulling entire results for 653, and withholding several others. Investigations into alleged mass cheating in 185 schools are ongoing, and so far, 35 individuals—including 19 teachers—have faced prosecution, with 19 already convicted. Agongo says this unprecedented enforcement marks the beginning of a reset in the education system, which for too long allowed shortcuts and inflated results to create the illusion of excellence. He recalls the long-standing concerns of civil society actors such as Eduwatch, whose Executive Director, Kofi Asare, has repeatedly warned that political pressure to glorify Free SHS created unrealistic targets for schools and inadvertently encouraged cheating. He notes that Asare has long advocated the installation of CCTV in exam halls and other technology-driven measures to safeguard integrity. While acknowledging the life-changing benefits of Free SHS—especially for poorer households—Agongo insists that expanding access should not come at the expense of quality. He references concerns raised by university lecturers who have noticed widening gaps in foundational skills among new entrants, with some institutions even considering special entrance assessments to address learning deficits. According to him, this year's WASSCE results may therefore reflect a transition from inflated scores to true merit, as suggested by both the GES and the Ministry of Education. Agongo explains that maintaining academic integrity is essential for national development because when certificates lose credibility, the entire economy suffers. Employers begin to doubt the competence of graduates, and universities are forced to lower standards to accommodate ill-prepared students. Ghana, he warns, cannot continue producing what one civil society group described as “excellent grades but hollow minds.” He believes the country must now champion quality over quantity by investing more in teacher training, reducing class sizes, modernising school infrastructure, and supporting technology that enhances honest learning. He urges policymakers and the public to approach the 2025 results with calm and objectivity rather than politics and emotion. In his view, the real task is to identify the root causes of this year’s performance and implement solutions that restore confidence in the country’s education system. He emphasises the need to sustain the crackdown on malpractice, strengthen transparency, and insulate education from political interference so that academic performance reflects true learning and not political scorecards. For Agongo, the drop in performance should not embarrass the nation. Rather, it should challenge Ghana to demonstrate the courage required to rebuild credibility in its education system. The more important question, he says, is whether the country is ready to pay the price of integrity as it seeks to raise a generation capable of driving national progress.

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]]>Miscellaneous2025-12-05T10:04:32+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12847/nsmq2024-dormaa-shs-wenchi-methodist-shs-make-national-appearance-after-decade-droughthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12847/nsmq2024-dormaa-shs-wenchi-methodist-shs-make-national-appearance-after-decade-droughtDormaa Senior High School is making its first appearance on the national stage of the National Science and Maths Quiz after a decade-long drought. Dormaa SHS secured the last slot for the region by outcompeting Sacred Heart, Nsawkaw SHS, and Goka SHTS. The school led in the first round of the contest and extended their streak to complete the contest with a final score of 32 points. The last time the school qualified for the national championship was in 2014. Their joy after winning the contest was similarly shared by students of Wenchi Methodist SHS. After six consecutive years of missing out, Wenchi Methodist SHS is making a triumphant entry into the 2024 edition. The school beat competition from their Wesleyan counterparts, Berekum Methodist SHTS, Jinijini SHS, and Sumaman SHS to qualify for the national championship. In what many had expected to be a solid performance by Methodist SHTS, Berekum, the “Asomafo” from Wenchi took everyone by surprise, winning with a landslide. The school garnered 41 points at the end of the contest, ahead of their closest contender, Sumaman SHS, who pulled 23 points. Methodist SHS, Berekum, and Jinijini SHS lagged behind with 11 points each. Contestants, students, and teachers of the school are poised to excel even at the national championship. The school is heading to the nationals with four others to represent the Bono region in this year’s competition. They are Notre Dame Girls SHS, Sunyani SHS, and Nafana Presby SHS. The ladies from Fiapre were unrelenting in overcoming their first hurdle after they were nearly kicked out. The school completed three rounds of the contest placing third but managed to overturn the contest in their favor in the final round, with a point margin ahead of their contender, Berekum SHS. Sunyani SHS proved their dominance over their opponents, winning the contest by a whopping 64 points, over 40 points difference ahead of their contenders. They clashed with Odomaseman SHS, Our Lady of Providence SHS, and Mansen SHS. To cap the qualifiers on the first day of the contests, Nafana Presbyterian SHS qualified yet again for the national championship. Traveling all the way from Sampa to the Bono regional capital, the gentlemen carried the day after beating their Presbyterian counterparts from Berekum, Koase SHTS, and Twene Amanfo SHTS.

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]]>Miscellaneous2024-06-11T15:24:33+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12638/ekaj-foundation-donates-exercise-books-to-needy-shs-studentshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12638/ekaj-foundation-donates-exercise-books-to-needy-shs-studentsThe EKAJ Education Fund has distributed close to 5,000 customized exercise books to all the eight (8) Senior High Schools in the Asante Akim South Municipality to support needy students in the beneficiary schools. The distribution of the books is the first major activity being undertaken by the EKAJ Education Fund to support all Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Municipality including private secondary schools in its operational area. The beneficiary Senior High Schools were the Juaso Senior High and Technical School, Banka Community Day Senior High School, Morso Community Senior High School, Dampong Senior High School, Bompata Presbyterian Senior High School, Ofoase Senior High School, Krofa Senior High School and the Oduro Apenteng Senior High School. At separate ceremonies to present the exercise books to the beneficiary schools, the Founder of the EKAJ Education Fund, Mr. Eric Kofi Amofa Junior who is also the Managing Director of Seabiege Ghana Limited – producers of Safare Tissues indicated that the books distribution was just one of the numerous activities lined up by the Foundation to ensuring quality education and human resource development in the area. The ceremonies were attended by the various chiefs, queen mothers, community leaders, parents, teachers and students who are the direct beneficiaries of the learning materials. Mr. Eric Amofa said that his decision to distribute the exercise books was a testament of how he struggled at the basic and secondary school levels to acquire even basic necessities like exercise books for his studies. “I cannot forget my bitter experience in secondary school where my parents could only afford one exercise book for all the seven subjects. So, I divided the book by pages for the various subjects, and I remember how I jealously guarded the book from being stolen or missing because that was very crucial for my revisions during exams”. Accompanied by some of the Trustee Board members of the Fund, Mr. Eric Amofa took the opportunity to encourage and inspire the senior high school students in the Asante Akim South Municipality to aspire to become great and impactful members of society. He further encouraged them to take their studies seriously and desist from any activities such as alcoholism, smoking, homosexual and other social vices that would jeopardize their future. Mr. Eric Amofa pledged the commitment of the EKAJ Education Fund to support more needy but brilliant students in the Asante Akim area who want to pursue tertiary or vocational education. Receiving the exercise books on behalf of their schools, the various heads of the beneficiary schools expressed their profound gratitude to Mr. Eric Amofa and his EKAJ Education Fund for the kind gesture. Some of the heads asserted that many of their students sit in classrooms without exercise books to copy notes or do class exercises. The Queen Mother of the Morso Traditional Area, Obaahema Acheampomaa Anima Kotoka II, who graced the presentation of the exercise books to the Morso Senior High School with all his cabinet members applauded the EKAJ Foundation for such a massive donation. She also applauded the Founder, Mr. Eric Amofa for touching many lives in the Municipality in recent years. The Queen Mother who pledged her readiness to support the EKAJ Education Fund, challenged other influential people in the Asante Akim South to emulate the shining examples of Mr. Eric Amofa and also contribute to the Fund to ensure more needy students are supported. The EKAJ Education Fund was established in early 2023 by Mr. Eric Amofa with a seed capital of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC100,000.00) to give educational scholarships to needy but brilliant students in the Asante Akim South Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The Fund is governed and managed by some prominent personalities in the area as Trustee Board members and patrons.

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]]>Miscellaneous2023-09-09T13:21:15+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12634/walling-the-tolon-shs-to-prevent-student-indiscipline-a-priority-chief-akilu-sayibuhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12634/walling-the-tolon-shs-to-prevent-student-indiscipline-a-priority-chief-akilu-sayibuThe Managing Director of the Voiceless Media Chief Akilu Sayibu has disclosed that his intention to contest the NPP primaries in the Tolon Constituency was born out of his love for the people and nothing else.   He disclosed that his topmost priority when he goes to Parliament would be to construct a fenced wall around the Tolon SHS and to also provide a pick up vehicle for the Headmaster of the Tolon SHS for effective transportation and supervisory services. Chief Akilu Sayibu also disclosed that his other priority would be to provide an Ambulance and a pick up vehicle for the Tolon District Hospital to facilitate effective health care delivery and  outreach services to communities of the  Constituency. "Good drinking water shall be another thing I will prioritize as an MP and I will not mind using my salary as a Member of Parliament  to initiate the above projects which are long overdue. Speaking to the Media at his Tolon residence, Chief Akilu Sayibu explained that the pace of development of the  Tolon Constituency was very low and there was an urgent need for accelerated development considering the Political history of the  Tolon Constituency. The Parliamentary Aspirant hopeful, commended the Ministry of Roads, Energy, Communications and Education for some interventions that they have brought to the Constituency and appealed for more opportunities for the people.   The former Deputy Chief Executive officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority also commended the Nana/ Bawumia government for the various job opportunities in various sectors to some of the Tolon constituents and asked  for more opportunities for the youth of the Tolon Constituency. Chief Akilu Sayibu was the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Tamale North Constituency in 2012 and now  relocated to the Tolon Constituency in his attempt to serve his people following widespread calls from the people of the Tolon Constituency.

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]]>Miscellaneous2023-08-31T07:56:31+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12632/be-committed-to-the-development-of-knust-vice-chancellor-urges-alumni-membershttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12632/be-committed-to-the-development-of-knust-vice-chancellor-urges-alumni-membersProf. Rita Akosua Dicson, the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),  has challenged all its Alumini members to be more committed to the development of the University. According to her, out of the 16 public universities in Ghana, the KNUST continues to be the most preferred and most attractive learning institution to majority of Ghanaians and foreign students. Addressing a meeting with the Tema branch of the KNUST Alumini held in Tema, Community 6, Prof. Akosua Dickson said that the University in the 2022-2023 academic year admitted over 27,000 new students which brings to the number of students of the university now to about 89,000. She expressed the need for the University Alumini members across the globe to help improve on its infrastructural development to enhance teaching and learning. The Vice Chancellor also officially announced 6th October, 2023 as the "KNUST Day of Giving" which is an initiative to raise at least GHC200 million to build a 2, 000 bed capacity hostel to reduce the accommodation deficit facing the University. She encouraged all Ghanaians especially past and present students of the University to contribute to the project via a short code *887*551#. Prof Akosua Dickson pleaded with the KNUST Alumini members who are 'captains' of industries in Ghana to create more opportunities for continuous and graduating students to get spaces for internship and National Service. Alhaji Alhassan Mahama Sani, President of Tema Branch of the KNUST Alumini applauded the Vice Chancellor for her vision to take the University to the next level. He said it was a great vision wisdom for Prof. Akosua Dickson to bring all the relevant stakeholders together especially the Alumni, many of whom are the movers and shakers of Ghana's economy, adding, "The Vice Chancellor has now made us to feel that we are indeed a part of our University and we are ever ready to support her vision". The Vice Chancellor took time out of her engagement with the Alumini to visit some key industries within the Industrial Hub of the Tema Metropolitan Area such as Volta Aluminium Company, Ghana Grid Company, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Cocoa Processing Company and the Tema Development Corporation to foster partnership and opportunities for the University. The Tema Branch members of the Alumini presented a Citation in honour of the Vice Chancellor.

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]]>Miscellaneous2023-08-20T19:40:26+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12631/knust-campus-now-safe-for-all-students-vice-chancellor-assureshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12631/knust-campus-now-safe-for-all-students-vice-chancellor-assuresProf. Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has revealed that some measures had been  taken to tighten up security in and around the University to protect students lives and property. According to her, the Management of the KNUST in addressing the security concerns on campus had installed Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras at vantage areas to monitor activities and movement on campus. At a meeting with the Tema Branch of the KNUST Alumini held at the Royal Nick Hotel in Tema Community 6, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that she had instructed the over 400 companies providing hostel accommodation for the over 89,000 students population of the University, to offer security at the facilities. That notwithstanding, "the University Management and the Governing Board with the support of theUniversity Chancellor, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Akuffo Dampare had put up a new Police Station on the University Campus," she added. .   Prof Akosua Dickson revealed that all the key stakeholders including the student body, parents, the Student Representative Council and the leadership of the various halls on campus had been involved in the management and maintenance of the campus security. "We have also improved some of our internal roads and lightened up the entire campus with streetlights to enhance vehicular and human movements".      She said though there had been a few security concerns on the KNUST campus in time past,  the Vice Chancellor insisted that the atmosphere on campus was now more friendly and secured than ever. Mr Alhassan Mahama Sani, the Tema Branch President of the KNUST Alumini encouraged the formation of more Alumini Branches in every region and institutions and also encouraged the old students to consider what they could do support the University in diverse ways. The KNUST Global Alumini President, Dr. Kwaku Agbesi congratulated the Vice Chancellor on her appointment and outlined some initiatives undertaken by the Alumini including the establishment of a Scholarship Scheme to support needy students. He pledged the commitment of the Alumini in addressing the huge accommodation challenges facing many students of the university and applouded the Tema Chapter for its continuous support to the KNUST Global Association The Chairman of the meeting, Ing Richardan also an Alumni and a past Director-General of the Ghana Orts and Harbours Authority appealed to about 500,000 old students to contribute just 400 a month for 5 months to enable the University to build 4 more of the hostel to accommodate at least 10,000 students. The meeting was attended by old students who completed between 1960 and 2020, and was chaired by Mr. Richard A. Y. Anamoo, former Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

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]]>Miscellaneous2023-08-20T19:23:38+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12578/lawra-mce-advocates-for-early-payment-of-school-feeding-caterershttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12578/lawra-mce-advocates-for-early-payment-of-school-feeding-caterersThe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Lawra in the Upper West Region, Jacob Dery has added his voice to the call on government and management of the Ghana School Feeding Programme to consider paying caterers on time to reduce the pressure and embarrassment they receive from suppliers. He said that Caterers of the Programme are committed in feeding the children, but they continue to lose out on their investment due to the delay in the payment of their arrears. Speaking in an interview with the media during a week long monitoring exercise by some national officers from the Ghana School Feeding Programme, Mr. Jacob Dery said the delay is also affecting the quality and quantity of meal being served to the pupils. The MCE who also appealed for an increase in the feeding grant per child from the current 97 pesewas, however, applauded the Government for sustaining the Ghana School  Feedings Programme in spite of the prevailing economic crisis. He noted that, the social intervention programme is currently benefiting about 83 public basic schools in the Municipality and giving employment to at least 93 caterers in the area. The MCE further noted that each of the 93 caterers have also engaged at least one or two women as cooks. He noted that the feeding programme is also impacting the local economic in a significant manner since majority of the caterers patronize the produce from the local farmers. Mr. Jacob Dery said that his administration is doing its best to monitor and assess the performance of the caterers to ensure that the Ghana School Feeding Programme succeeds in the Municipality. He said that the assembly is contacting the relevant stakeholders and organisations to put up kitchen spaces for some of the beneficiary schools in need of such facilities. On the other hand, the MCE revealed that Lawra is one of the fastest growing Municipalities in Ghana. It has huge potential in agriculture and can boast of quality maize, rice, groundnut, millet, sorghum, yam and livestock in large quantities. Mr. Jacob Dery said that quality healthcare, education, water and sanitation, peace and security and building of road infrastructure are some of his major areas of priority. He therefore called for the support and collaboration of all stakeholders especially the traditional authorities and heads of departments to prosecute his vision for the Municipality.

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]]>Miscellaneous2022-07-27T10:08:44+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12477/early-birds-99-of-peki-tsame-d-a-jhs-donates-to-schoolhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12477/early-birds-99-of-peki-tsame-d-a-jhs-donates-to-schoolThe 1999-year group of Peki Tsame D/A JHS, also known as Early Birds ’99, in the Volta Region, has presented items to the School, as a way of giving back to their Alma Mater. The donation by the 1999-year group included an Office jet Pro 7720 printer with scan and copy machine, 500 customized exercise books, 132 Nataraj Mathematical sets, 1 carton of white chalk, 1 carton of A4 sheets, 10 boxes of Bic pens, 1 football and 1 volleyball. The gesture by the Early Birds ’99 was in a bid to promote quality teaching and learning at the school, which has seen a decline in its academic performance in recent times. The group also recognized and appreciated their six surviving Old teachers (Mrs. Comfort Kpende Amedor, Mr. Leford Asare, Madam Delight Afflu, Mr. Newlove Johnny Markham, Mr. Lawrence Asamoah and Mr. Percival Kwaku Asempa), by presenting a hamper, a citation and an undisclosed amount of cash to each of them. Presenting the items to the school, an Executive Member, Ms. Benedicta Baka, noted that even though the group completed school 22 years ago, they still appreciate the role of the school in shaping their lives academically and socially, hence deem it fit to contribute to the growth of the school in their own small way. She pledged the group’s continuous liaison with the school’s authorities in order to make a positive impact on the school. She revealed that the group plans to change the black boards in the three classrooms to white marker boards within the shortest possible time. Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Bless Attricki Apetorgbor, complimented the old students for their kind gesture, noting that in the history of the 65years existence of the school, it was the first time such a thing had happened. She used the opportunity to call on other well-meaning old students and citizens of the town to contribute to the growth of the school in whatever way possible. Speaking on behalf of the Old Teachers, Mr. Newlove Johnny Markham, expressed their profound gratitude to the old students for remembering and appreciating their efforts. He urged the students to be very respectful and obedient, because those are the virtues that will propel them to higher places in the future. Another Old Teacher, Madam Delight Afflu, also called on the current teachers to see their profession as a passion and a humanitarian job instead of a money-making venture. She urged them to invest their time in shaping their students for a better tomorrow because “there is no greater reward than seeing your students become great in future”. The Chairman of the group, Mr. Richard Nunekpeku, in his address, which was given on his behalf by the School Prefect of the 1999-year group, Mr. Bright Rockwell, called on the students to take their studies seriously. He encouraged the final year students who are preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to shun vices that will distract them from their main goal, which is to study and pass their exams. Assembly Member of Peki Tsame, who was Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Sebastian Okyere and Secretary of the ’99 group, Mr. Samuel Afrifa, both urged the teachers and students to put the items donated to good use. There were cultural performances and drama from the school’s cultural troupe as well as football and volleyball games between the current and old students.

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]]>Miscellaneous2021-11-03T11:40:51+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12451/ghana-sch-feeding-program-cries-in-silence-operates-without-vehicles-under-akufo-addohttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12451/ghana-sch-feeding-program-cries-in-silence-operates-without-vehicles-under-akufo-addoSending a soldier to a war without arms and ammunitions is a recipe for outright defeat, failure or death. The above phrase infers how the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is somewhat treating the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) which is one of the flagship national social intervention programmes targeting the very poor children in deprived public Kindergarten, lower and upper primaries. These pieces of information are not imaginary or concocted by my good self to discredit the government of the day, but something I carefully gathered from trusted sources. Let me acknowledge that the NPP government has been one of the best managers of the GSFP especially when it comes to the payment of caterers’ arrears, which in time past distraught many of the caterers and cooks.  On the other hand, the NPP Government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also performed poorly in terms of provision of logistics to enhance the operations of the feeding programme. Since the assumption of office of the Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration in 2017, there has not been any conscious effort to assign vehicles for the operations of the Ghana School Feeding Programme.  A deep throat government source who formerly worked at the Ministry of Gender hinted me that, the all-important social intervention programme in spite of the significant role it plays in the development and education of millions of school children, had not been given any serious support in terms of vehicle allocation.  Meanwhile, it is inevitability that at regular intervals, the Management of GSFP conduct effective national monitoring and assessments in all the over 10, 832 beneficiary schools of the programme across the 260 districts of Ghana. The Ghana School Feeding Programme now feeds at least 3,447,067 children from deprived schools in Ghana. “I tell you that previous regimes took proper care of school feeding programme than this current government. This government from my observation is only concerned about payment of caterers’ arrears [because it wants to avoid wild agitations from the caterers] but failing to look into other administrative and logistical needs of the pro-poor programme for proper implementation” the source said.    Reliable information I have gathered indicate that apart from the National Coordinator, one Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah [wife of the late Major Courage Quashigah] who was assigned an old Nissan Patrol (V8) vehicle, most of the key officers of GSFP including some regional coordinators, do not have any official vehicles for monitoring and other field operations. The National Coordinator’s vehicle together with any other vehicles being used at GSFP was procured by the NDC in 2015 and 2016. Almost all the senior staff have been assigned [below standard] vehicles which are not suitable for field works; and the rest of the key staff are also using their own private cars to work for GSFP since NPP took over power. Renting Of Private Vehicles The source revealed that, the GSFP Management always had to resort to renting of vehicles from private companies before they are able to embark on monitoring or any field operations. Most of the private vehicle rental companies in ensuring that their vehicles are well taken care of, the source further revealed, always had to impose their own drivers on Ghana School Feeding Programme at extra cost for the number of days they would spend on the field. Meanwhile, the GSFP national secretariat, according to the source had its own official drivers who are always kept in the office whenever there is a national monitoring or field work. About GSFP The Ghana School Feeding Programme is one of the most well thought out and impactful policy initiatives by the Government with the aim of increasing school enrolment and attendance at the basic education level, improving the cognitive learning capacities of pupils nationwide, easing the financial pressures on poor households/parents with children in basic schools and to also boost local agricultural production to ensure increased incomes for local farmers. It is providing business opportunities, employment and accompanying incomes for over 30,000 caterers and cooks nationwide who are turning agricultural produce into cooked, ready to eat meals for students and teachers in the kindergartens, lower and upper primary schools.

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]]>Miscellaneous2021-07-27T22:00:45+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12432/government-gives-approval-for-payment-of-school-feeding-caterers-national-coordinatorhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12432/government-gives-approval-for-payment-of-school-feeding-caterers-national-coordinatorThe National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah has hinted that the Government has given approval for funds to be released for the payment of arrears for 1st term of the 2021 academic year to caterers. According to her, the National Secretariat of GSFP had already collated caterers’ data and processed it for payment as soon as the Controller and Accountant General’s Department transfer same to Bank of Ghana for onwards transfer to the Ghana School Feeding accounts.  A statement issued in Accra by the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, on the other hand, has refuted the claim that the Government is presently owing caterers of the programme some eight (8) month’s arrears.  According to GSFP, the Government is only owing the caterers for the 1st term of the 2021 academic year of which processes are ongoing to effect payment as soon as possible. It said, since the 2nd term of this 2021 academic year is still in progress [not ended],  it will be impracticable for the government to release funds to pay the caterers before their data is compiled and submitted by their Regional Coordinators.  The statement explained that, the normal contractual agreement between the caterers and the government is that, cooking services are supposed to be pre-financed by the caterers for at least a whole academic term. Thereafter, the caterers would receive payment of their arrears of the previous term at least before the commencement or in the course of another term. The statement is in reaction to some misinformation being churned out by some caterers in the media which sought to create public disaffection for the social intervention programme. According to some of the caterers, the government is owing them for eight (8) months without any attempt to settle them. “The truth is that the 2nd term is still in progress and so it cannot be said that we owe the caterers for 8 months. However, we apologise to all caterers for the delay in the payment of their 1st term arrears and assure them that they will soon receive payment”.  The government has done very well to settle all arrears of caterers in the 1st and 2nd terms of 2019/2020 academic year amounting to some 117 cooking days. The caterers did not cook in the third term of 2019/2020 academic year due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, there are a few isolated cases of caterers who did not receive their 2019/2020 arrears in full including some of the caterers of the JHS hot meal due to some challenges. But those challenges the statement indicated are being addressed to ensure that all affected caterers receive their remaining money.

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]]>Miscellaneous2021-07-18T22:46:11+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12289/public-schools-in-tamale-metropolis-lack-classroom-furniturehttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12289/public-schools-in-tamale-metropolis-lack-classroom-furnitureTamale Metropolis Education Director, Amatus Tug-uu is appealing to the general public for support to help improve the classroom furniture deficit confronting the education directorate in the Tamale Metropolis. The Education director said government support through the assembly is not adequate hence the call for public support. The Northern Regional correspondent Noah Nash takes a look at challenges at the basic school level in Tamale.  There are over 40o public basic Schools within the Tamale Metropolis, with over 80% of the schools not fenced. Community evasion of these schools has contributed to the destruction of the school property like classroom furniture. The situation is affecting teaching and learning at the various public basic schools within the metropolis.  The news team visited three basic schools, these are EP Primary School in Lamashegu, Queen Elizabeth School in Teshigu, and Suadikiya Islamic KG and Primary in the Nyohini within the metropolis.  Most Pupils were seen laying on their stomachs, kneeling, or standing during lessons due to the lack of desks, while the KG was no exception. In some schools, the few classrooms with dual desks meant for two were shared by three pupils. Most pupils took class exercises or assignments on the floor. Others had their exercise book on their laps.  Some of the pupils who spoke to GH One News said they are compelled to lay on the floor because they don’t have a desk.  SOT 1: Rufiana – Queen Elizabeth School, Teshigu-Tamale SOT 2: Abdul-Fatawu Sokura, Queen Elizabeth School, Teshigu-Tamale Tamale Metropolis Education Director, Amatus Tug-uu, in an interview with GH One News, said there is the need to engage the communities to reduce the furniture deficit in the metropolis   SOT 3: Amatus Tug-uu, Tamale Metropolis Education Director He further revealed that government support through the Metropolitan Assembly and that of the MPs are not enough to change the situation.  SOT 4: Amatus Tug-uu, Tamale Metropolis Education Director Mr. Amatus Said the capitation grant given to Schools this year will need to be monitored and accounted for by all headteachers in the metropolis. The Coordinating Director of the Tamale Metro said the assembly will soon distribute over 800 dual desk purchases last year to schools in the metropolis. 

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]]>Miscellaneous2021-02-22T00:25:57+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12220/education-ministry-launches-lively-minds-together-projecthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/12220/education-ministry-launches-lively-minds-together-projectThe Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has launched Lively Minds Together, a radio show geared towards early childhood development in the Northern Region in Tamale. The radio show is run by the Ghana Educational Service (GES). It seeks to support parents and caregivers of Kindergarten-age children with ideas, motivation and confidence to try activities at home that support children’s development. Each week two hour-long episodes will be delivered in local languages across a network of 19 radio stations. The programme will be available in Akuapem Twi, Buli, Dagaare, Dagbanli, Ewe, Gonja, Gurune, Kasem, Kusaal, Likpakpal, Mampruli, Moar, Nabt, Tamplima, Twi, Sisaale and Waale. One episode will be a ‘parenting’ episode giving ideas and activities for parents and caregivers to try at home. The other episode will be a play episode that teaches parents and caregivers educational games to try at home. Each episode will include a phone-in at the end, giving listeners the chance to share their experiences with previous activities. Both live episodes will be repeated later in the week, meaning there will be 4 hours of broadcasting each week in each language. The keynote speaker, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh restated his commitment to Early Childhood Education and care at the launch, and said, “This programme has incredible potential to contribute to the transformation of Early Childhood Education and Care in Ghana in the short, medium and long term. As Minister for Education, I am committed to ensuring that all children are provided with the opportunity for learning.” He added, “Up to the age of 7, children’s brains are growing and developing fast. We cannot miss these crucial windows of opportunity. The opportunities to learn and develop during these years include thinking skills, physical, social and emotional development cannot be replaced. Research shows that investments in early childhood can have high returns in terms of future educational attainment and well-being,” he added. The Education Minister echoed this message, “Empowering parents and other caregivers is the pathway to the development of the next generation of learners and citizens.” He reminded the audience that: “All parents and caregivers can be excellent teachers. I would urge all parents and caregivers to listen.” Chair of the GES Council, Michael Nsowah said: “Children do not just require teaching and learning. They also require care, attention, support, nourishment, play, rest, encouragement and more. This nurturing care can only be provided by caregivers”. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh had a message for the GES teams running the programme: “You should be proud to be on the front line and supporting Ghana’s children and families.”

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]]>Miscellaneous2020-10-30T10:02:38+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11913/uwrgnat-to-host-first-ever-forum-in-wahttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11913/uwrgnat-to-host-first-ever-forum-in-waThe Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Upper West chapter is set to host its first ever public forum here at the Wa Technical Institute Grate Hall. The event which is slated to take place tomorrow Wednesday the 11th is to give its members the opportunity to make inputs in to the growth of the union with intentions of making it into a much vibrant association. The forum is supposed to sensitise the public into the operations and services of GNAT and efforts being made to see the association as a vibrant union to belong. The regional secretary Kwame Dagbandoo is expected to give a statement into the success the biggest association in our educational sector has made so far. Mrs. Fusata Hamindu, former Municipal Director of Wa is the special guest at the forum. The day’s forum is also expected to afford members the opportunity to learn at first hand the activities of GNAT by its membership. It is however not clear if the issues of the strike embarked by the unions and two other unions would be addressed at the forum tomorrow. The three unions made a joint announcement at a press conference held in Accra on Thursday, 5 December 2019. The association and other teacher unions such as Coalition of Concerned Teachers Association, National Association of Graduate Teachers are the embarking on a nationwide strike and have since redrawn its services from school in the country. It is however not certain when the strike could be called off as the leadership is in talks with the governments over unpaid arrears dating as far back as 2012 to 2016

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-12-10T09:47:43+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11909/uwrpoor-meals-at-ase-roman-catholic-school-in-wa-west-districthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11909/uwrpoor-meals-at-ase-roman-catholic-school-in-wa-west-districtTwo Hundred and thirteen (213) students of the Ase Roman Catholic Primary School in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region have till the end of this term to braise themselves to continue eating whatever food that is provided for them as calls to improve the quality of the meals at the school has fallen on death ears. The cooks at the facility revealed the teachers don’t eat the meals due to the poor quality of the food as some of the students often prefer not to eat at all. A cook at the school, Madam Mary Gmama disclosed that Seven (7) bowls is what they served to the children anytime they cooked rice. And when its rice and beans, they measure four bowls of beans against three bowls of rice to sum up to seven bowls. Madam Mary disclosed all attempts to plead for an adjustment in the food supply fell on death ears. She disclosed that whenever she cooks, she has to dilute the food else, there would be a shortage. She further added she sometimes have to use her own resources to make the meals better. Yet the remarks she gets from the coordinator has remained ‘’They are your children too’’.  ‘And it is true, they are my children can I deny them’ she asked the reporter. Speaking at the school, the pupils complained over the quality of meals served them. A number of the students spoken to didn’t have good remarks of the food. Not even the local stable food TZ is said to be prepared properly. Aside serving them with dried Baobab leaves soup all the time they also complained about the texture of the TZ. Dumba Agnes a student of the school lamented over the nature of their food. She explains that her friends eat very bad meals because they have no option. Agnes hinted they often find insects and other bad objects in their food and sometimes even have to pour away their meals. Reacting to the allegation of inadequate supply of food items, the Care taker caterer who happens to be the Regional Coordinator of the School Feeding Program Diana Puopelle said the cooks lied about the situation. She disclosed that the caterer of the school is based in Accra but the school is under her (Diana Puopelle’s) watch. ‘Actually the caterer is not here. The caterer is in Accra, but we watch the school for her’ she added. Madam Puopelle also alleged that thieves broke into the school stores but was being concealed by the head master of the school. She said several food items were stolen from the stores causing shortage at the school. She said a teacher at the school disclosed the theft issues to the caretaker. ‘It is because they stole the food. If not, Ase, that school we have never heard about any complain like they don’t cook or they threaten whatever’ Madam Diana added. The Head master of the school, Mr. Vitus reacting to the development at the school said he had made efforts himself to no avail. He further disclosed earlier complains came with its consequence. He went further to explain there was no such thing as thieves braking in to the school stores. He further explained that the quantity of food brought lasted the exact time and not theft as being made up. He therefore challenged the coordinator to expose the teacher who informed her about the theft so that the said teacher can explain how the rest of the school isn’t aware of the said theft.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-12-05T22:41:39+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11895/may-your-lives-be-like-toilet-paper-from-the-acting-rector-to-grandaunts-of-wa-polytechnichttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11895/may-your-lives-be-like-toilet-paper-from-the-acting-rector-to-grandaunts-of-wa-polytechnicGraduates of the Wa Polytechnic received nobles from the institution after successfully meeting requirements for HND certificates. The event was to mark the seventh graduation ceremony of the institution. The ceremony with the Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih as special guest of honour, also hosted high-level official representations from other institutions such as Tamale Technical University, University for Development Studies among others. The Board members, Heads of departments were equally present in full regalia whiles the cadet corps maned the security. The graduating students clad in green gowns and beautifully looking presence which showed prospects into the skilled job markets in the country. Others who made distinctions amongst them were however given rewards including money. The Wa Polytechnic was established in September 1999 and however enrolled its first batch of students in 2003. The institution has the School of Business, School of Applied Art, Design and General Studies, School of Applied Science and Technology and the School of Engineering. The acting rector of the Polytechnic Mr Iddrisu Ngmenipuo Mohammed edged the graduates not to discriminate against jobs and urged the need to volunteer as it could go a long way to make a positive impact in their careers. ‘Whatever jobs you get take it; it would give you some relevant experience. Whatever jobs you get take it; it would give you some income. Whatever jobs you get take it; it would give you a better or your preferred job in future. Don’t be afraid to try new things’ he sounded. The acting rector also called on the government to allow recruitments of staff as they have lost a number of staff due to retirement, resignations and death. Mr Ngminipuo further disclosed the burden on the few available ‘worthy ambassadors and had working rear Ghanaians’ staff of the institution needed attention for clearance to employ staff. He, however, wished the grandaunts employment to the glory of God. ‘All of you graduating from this polytechnic would be gainfully employed to the glory of God. Say amen. May your life be like toilet paper; long and useful’ he concluded. The minister, Dr Bin Salih in his keynote address congratulated the grandaunts for successfully meeting requirements to be awarded HND. He also concerted knowledge of the rigorous training the teaching staff takes students through in preparing them for the world of work. The mister also called on factions of the institution put their personal interest aside to enable the school to strive as pending issues in courts can’t be denied to have effects on the image of the polytechnic.  ‘It is obvious that this disagreement which are yet to be fully resolved due to the pending case in court and has no doubt affected the image and progress of the polytechnic’ he added. Further called on the leadership to ‘work towards upgrading the Wa polytechnic into a technical University in line with the policy of the government’ he entreated. Dr Salih also disclosed that some three priority infrastructural projects have been identified and forwarded to the Ministry of Education awaiting funds for execution. He also announced the department of Urban Roads has taken procured the service of a contractor to develop and open up the road network within the polytechnic campus to give it a facelift. The overall graduating student went to Mr Zingunaa Paul of the Building Technology department.  

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-09-30T15:36:37+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11886/nana-addo-applauds-haf-fyf-for-building-more-ict-labs-in-ghanahttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11886/nana-addo-applauds-haf-fyf-for-building-more-ict-labs-in-ghanaThe President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has applauded the Helping Africa Foundation for building more ultra modern ICT laboratories to complement his Government’s efforts of promoting free quality education for all Ghanaian children.      Helping Africa Foundation and its sister organization, Friends of Yamoransa Foundation have so far built and commissioned five well equipped 40 seater ICT laboratories code named “Yamoransa Model Lab” in five different regions to promote free ICT literacy.      Speaking at the official inauguration of the Yamoransa Model Lab 5 at Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region, President Akufo-Addo in a speech read for him by the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea said his Government fully “endorsed and embraced the efforts of Helping Africa Foundation in spreading computer literacy in our schools”.      The Yamoransa Model Lab 5 was built at Kyebi through the influence of President Akufo-Addo and it remains the most beautiful and most advanced of all the existing computer Labs built by Helping Africa Foundation in Ghana.      It has a MakerSpace specially designed by TECHAiDE, a for-profit social enterprise to help prepare Ghanaian students who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).      President Akufo-Addo was confident that the promotion of ICT education by the Private Sector will support and facilitate the Government’s vision of a digitized Ghana.      Dr Deborah Rose, President of the Friends of Yamoransa Foundation expressed her appreciation to the President Nana  Akufo-Addo for working closely, supporting and ensuring that the Yamoransa Model Lab 5 was built in Kyebi to empower students and teachers in their academic works.      “We are proud to work with the Ministry of Education of Ghana to implement its Junior High School (JHS) curriculum for ICT. Because many villages lack reliable electricity, we have always incorporated banks of batteries to provide back-up power for the labs when needed. This year, we have also begun adding solar panels to the package,” Dr. Rose indicated.      She said that due to the absence of broadband internet service in most rural areas, TECHAiDE had improvised a Made-in-Ghana invention, the “Asanka Device” which functions as a local version of the internet for the ICT labs.      “Packed on a hard drive is the ICT curriculum for grades 7-9, plus the additional resources of the “Edulab Gold” software package. An embedded chip provides wi-fi service for the distance of half a football field”.      Mr. Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director of Helping Africa Foundation said the essential mission of his NGO was working to improve the education, health and social conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Ghana.      He said the Kyebi lab which was preceded by the Yamoransa Model Lab 4 at Choggu in Tamale, is the only ICT lab that has Robotics and 3D printing facilities.      Mr. Aryiku noted that all the five ICT labs and those yet to be built are called the “Yamoransa Model”, because the HAF and the FYF are aiming to support and assist initiatives and projects that are driven by the local community.      He therefore charged the political, religious, traditional, elders and civic leaderships of the Kyebi community to fully support the project in a sustainable way.      The Chief Executive Officer of TECHAiDE, Mr. Kafui Prebbie indicated that the new ICT centre  has a MakerSpace to help prepare Ghanaian students who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).      The new MakerSpace products include a 3D printing, 3D modeling, Virtual Reality Hardware and Software, Coding and Robotics.       The lab according to Mr. Prebbie is programmed for the studies of ICT, Mathematics, Science and English Language.      The Paramount Chief of Akyem Kwaben, Daasebre Ayimadu Kantamanto II, who represented the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin commended the HAF and FYF, and President Akufo-Addo for choosing Kyebi for such a magnificent ICT project and assured the project financiers of the full commitment of the Chiefs and people to maintain and sustain the Yamoransa Model Lab 5 in order to benefit more students in the future.      The Abuakwa South Municipal Director of Education, Madam Grace Owusu Addo commended President Akufo-Addo, Friends of Yamoransa Foundation and Helping Africa Foundation for bringing such a magnificent ICT project to Kyebi and assured that the Ghana Education Service shall collaborate with the Municipal Assembly to ensure that the facility was properly maintained to serve the purpose for which it was established.      The Abuakwa South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Kojo Safo also appreciated the President and financiers of the project and called for massive investment in the study of ICT to enable the young generation to catch up with the rest of the world.      Commendably, special students with disabilities also receive equal opportunity to study ICT at any of the Yamoransa Model Labs including that of Kyebi, as arrangements have been made for special teachers to handle such students with utmost respect and care.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-09-15T22:19:28+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11876/no-teacher-can-be-replaced-by-a-book-uw-director-for-educationhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11876/no-teacher-can-be-replaced-by-a-book-uw-director-for-educationThe Upper West Regional Director for Education, Mr. Duncan Nsoh has waded into the controversy surrounding the introduction of new curriculum for basic schools without the corresponding syllabus. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Wa based W93.5FM, he insisted that teachers should ought to be able to carry out their duties without difficulty in spite of the absence of the requisite textbooks. According to Mr. Nsoh, 'look you are a teacher ; no teacher is supposed to be replaced by a simple book. You are a teacher and you should be able to carry out your work with or without anything' he added. The regional director says he is still committed to his vision of teacher rationalisation in order to decongest schools with excess teachers which is predominant in the Wa municipality. Mr. Nsoh indicated that he has already conferred with various stakeholders in the region over the intended rationalisation. He expressed optimism that he would be able to implement the teacher rationalisation policy within the impending academic year. Mr. Duncan Nsoh took over as the Upper West Regional Education director from then acting regional director for education Mr. Evans Kpebah earlier this year with a vision to improving education within the Upper West Region.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-09-04T17:10:49+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11867/group-slams-govt-over-extremely-poor-kindergarten-education-in-ghanahttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11867/group-slams-govt-over-extremely-poor-kindergarten-education-in-ghanaThe Coordinator for Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Activista, a global youth movement, Shadrack Kwadwo Adjei has observed that although the basic school education structure is made up of two (2) years Kindergarten, six (6) years Primary and three (3) years Junior High School, governments over the years had failed to provide decent environment and infrastructure for kindergarten pupils. According to him, more than half of kindergartens across the country lack access to decent classrooms, furniture, and basic kids learning materials that could propel effective teaching and learning. Mr Adjei therefore called for educational system that was more relevant, equitable and inclusive in achieving sustainable development. Speaking during Media Engagement in Sunyani, Mr Adjei further revealed that most of the teachers teaching in Kindergarten are untrained teachers, which he indicated was affecting quality at the foundational level. In most of the Kindergartens especially in the rural areas, pupils lay flat on their stomachs to write or study, others sit on their eating bowls or on stones throughout classes’ hours.  Most of the Kindergarten pupils also study under trees and in pavilions because almost all classroom blocks built by Governments or MMDAs/Member of Parliaments are only six unit classroom blocks which cover only primary one to primary six.   The Media Engagement was part of activities to mark this year’s International Youth Day which was organized by Activista, in collaboration with Young Urban Women Movement and Brong-Ahafo Chapter of Tax Justice Coalition and supported by the Brong-Ahafo Office of ActionAid Ghana. The global theme for this year’s International Youth Day 2019 was “Transforming education”, which highlights efforts to make education more relevant, equitable and inclusive for all youth, including efforts by youth themselves. Rooted in Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” –the  International Youth Day 2019 was focused to examine how Governments, young people and youth-led and youth-focused organizations, as well as other stakeholders, are transforming education and how these efforts are contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Ghana, Mr. Adjei noted indigenous youth, young people with disabilities, young women, young people belonging to vulnerable groups are facing additional challenges in accessing education that respects their diverse needs and abilities as well as reflects and embraces their unique realities and identities. But, the Activista Coordinator noted that education is key in unlocking the potential of all young people and preparing them for future opportunities. “We must ensure our education system and knowledge we share, advances feminist alternatives, challenges hetero-normativity, patriarchy and gender norms that hinder progress toward gender justice and equality”. The Brong-Ahafo Coordinator for Tax Justice Coalition Ghana, Raphael Godlove Ahenu in his presentation on Financing Education in Ghana, said, to ensure that all girls had a good quality education, governments in developing countries needed to increase their spending on education and improve its quality. “One key way to raise extra resources is by increasing tax revenues, and one major way to do that is to reduce or eliminate the tax incentives that many governments now offer, especially to corporations. This ‘tax expenditure’ causes a massive loss of potential revenues that could be spent on improving education and other public services”  Recent research by ActionAid, according to him, shows that governments in sub-Saharan Africa may be losing around US$38.6 billion a year, or 2.4% of their GDP, to tax incentives. This is equivalent to nearly half (47%) of their current education spending. Mr Ahenu was of the view that privatizing education is not the solution and governments must spend public funds on public education to ensure equal access and meaningful youth empowerment. The Bron-Ahafo Programme Officer for ActionAid Ghana, Kwame Afram Denkyira, urged government to ensure provision of quality education to all without discrimination in the spirit of leaving no one behind. He urged African governments to invest in quality education that is transformative for its citizens, adding that, education is a ‘development multiplier’ in that it plays a pivotal role in accelerating progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, be it poverty eradication, good health, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, action on climate change or building peaceful societies.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-08-20T00:27:40+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11856/techaide-resolves-to-deepen-ict-education-in-ghanahttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11856/techaide-resolves-to-deepen-ict-education-in-ghanaFJ Cava, Chief Operations Officer of TECHAiDE, a technological social enterprise, specialised in the design, development and deployment of rugged computing systems has expressed its readiness to train young people in Ghana, particularly school children.      He said, this is to prepare them  for a better future in the Information Communication and  Technology (ICT) age. FJ Cava said this when he addressed participants at the 3rd Annual Impact Education eConference 2019 organised by TECHAide, in collaboration with Friends of Yamoransa Foundation (FYF), & Helping Africa Foundation (HAF) both United States based non-profit organizations.      The conference objective was to bring together key stakeholders within the Ghana Educational sector to discuss, debate, share and educate each other in achieving and learning in order to make ICT education in Ghana more responsive, and better equipped to handle the challenges of the 21st century    About 150 Participants including: Proprietors of Private Schools, Heads of Public Schools, NGOs, Private Companies, Government Entities as well as Funding Agencies shared experiences with answers provided to questions on technological issues in education.      The conference centred on breakout sessions and panel discussions that focused on, ICT Training that Captures the Future.      He said, the world was now going IT and that it was imperative to prepare the younger generation for robotics, computer programming, IT technician careers among others.      FJ Cava said while maximum emphasis was placed on the learning of ICT, there was a need to consider a key factor on how ICT teachers in the country were equipped with knowledge to be able to teach school children to understand the various lessons.      He said this year's conference was  all about; bringing ICT teachers and proprietors of schools, both private and public, NGOs, private and public companies and funding agencies to focus on ICT training that captured the future.      TECHAiDE Chief Operations Officer said, the current and upcoming generation of Ghanaians do not have a choice but to, prepare to embrace ICT, adding, "that is where the world is heading and nobody must be left behind."

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-08-12T00:36:09+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11855/anis-haffar-urges-teachers-to-build-their-capacity-in-icthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11855/anis-haffar-urges-teachers-to-build-their-capacity-in-ictMr Anis Haffar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Education Matters Foundation has urged teachers to be in a perpetual state of adding value to themselves in the field of Information Communication Technology.      He said, having a first degree was a sign of potential and that teachers should not let their  thirst for knowledge be quenched, using himself as an example     "Look at my age, 72, but I am still learning to add value to myself because I want to give out my best."       Mr Haffar was speaking at the 2019 Impact Education Conference organised by TECHAide, in collaboration with Friends of Yamoransa Foundation (FYF), and  Helping Africa Foundation (HAF) both United States based non-profit organisations.      The conference objective was to bring together key stakeholders within the Ghana Educational sector to discuss, debate, share and educate each other in achieving and learning in order to make ICT education in Ghana more responsive, and better equipped to handle the challenges of the 21st century    The conference centred on breakout sessions and panel discussions that focused on, ICT Training that Captures the Future    Mr Haffar cautioned teachers not to underestimate the potential of any child they teach or live with as they might not know who will be there for them  in the future.      "Whoever believes he has finished learning in this world is dead. Never neglect the ability and the need to add value to yourselves," he added.      The Educationist entreated teachers to take advantage of technology in teaching their students, saying, "as the world advances technologically, you should maximise it in discharging their duties."      About 150 Participants including: Proprietors of Private Schools, Heads of Public Schools, NGOs, Private Companies, Government Entities as well as Funding Agencies shared experiences with answers provided to questions on technological issues in education.  

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-08-12T00:32:47+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11854/conference-calls-for-broader-integration-of-ict-in-educationhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11854/conference-calls-for-broader-integration-of-ict-in-educationPanelists of the third annual Impact Education Conference have called for strong cooperation among stakeholders in the education sector to help advance the integration of ICT in the educational structure.      This, they suggested would be  a better and more efficient way of teaching.      They also urged various players within the education space to invest in research to help in the development of effective technological-based tools and systems that would facilitate the vast adoption of  ICT in schools.      The one-day conference on the theme: “ICT training that captures the future” was jointly organised by TechAide, the Friends of Yamoransa Foundation (FYF), and Helping Africa Foundation (HAF)-- both United States based non-profit organisations.      Chief Operations Officer of TechAide, F. J Cava, told journalists that the conference was about having a larger conversation about how the country’s educational sector was preparing the next generation of students for the digital era.       “We want to prepare Ghana for robotics and computer programming and ICT technicians, and this conference is about engaging stakeholders towards empowering both teachers and students for the future by leveraging technology and tech-based educational tools and systems,” he said.      He added: “Are we preparing our students for the future and if we are not, what can we do differently to help achieve that?      Technology is not going away; it is only going to get more integrated in society and culture and so we have to embrace and prepare adequately for it looking into the future.”      Mr. Cava also encouraged parents to satisfy  the curiosity of their children by allowing them to play or learn with tech-based study tools and devices to prepare them for the future.      “We don’t have a choice with integrating technology into the educational setup; it is not about being prepared or not. The future is coming and we only have to be prepared for it,” he indicated.      About 150 participants including: proprietors of private schools, heads of public schools, distinguished NGOs, private companies, government entities as well as funding agencies discussed how to leverage technology to train students for the digital age.      The objective every year of the Impact Education Conference is to bring together key stakeholders within the country’s educational sector to discuss, debate, share and educate about what each other is doing, achieving and learning in order to make education more responsive, and better equipped to handle the challenges of the 21st century.  

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-08-12T00:23:43+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11815/sahess-launches-five-year-strategic-plan-to-promote-academic-excellencehttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11815/sahess-launches-five-year-strategic-plan-to-promote-academic-excellenceThe Sacred Heart Senior High School (SAHESS) at Nsoatre in the Sunyani West District of the Bono Region has launched a five-year Strategic Plan to give transformational direction, promote academic excellence and to make the school among the finest in the country. Authorities are therefore raising GHC432,000 funds internally towards realistic implementation of the Plan, which among other things seeks to transform students through holistic education and formation as well as support human resource and improve on infrastructural development of the school. According to Reverend Sister Benedicta Uzokwe, the Headmistress of SAHESS, the school had gone through several phases of growth and transformation from a very humble and difficult beginning to a more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning. “After celebrating the 40 years of existence of this noble institution, it is only worthwhile, as the common saying goes “an unexamined life is not worth living” that we take stock of our past and plan for the future to find ways and means of strategizing to position our school strategically on the national front”, she said. Rev. Sis. Uzokwe said the task ahead remained enormous and called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to help transform and push the school to an institute of high academic excellence, Speaking on the theme “Sacred heart of Jesus: the pivot of the new strategic direction for quality education”, Dr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the President of the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD), underscored the need to critically think about a new direction to add value to improve on the catholic educational model. CCOD is a private university in Sunyani which designed the Strategic Plan for the school. Quality education Dr Benarkuu explained ought to promote sustainable development and global citizenship through addressing the need for adequate physical infrastructure and safety, inclusive environments that nurture learning for all, regardless of background or disability status. It also means Scholarships scheming; where developed economies and philanthropists offer scholarships to students, in a structured manner to build the capability of students to achieve one’s dream in education as well as addressing the equity, inclusion and quality educational gaps. Dr Benarkuu noted that teachers remained a fundamental condition for guaranteeing quality education, hence the need to empower them adequately and improve on their condition of service to motivate them to work harder. Bishop Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, commended the school for the new direction, and expressed the hope that with support from all stakeholders the school would be able achieve a better standard.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-07-09T22:02:47+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11779/teenage-pregnancies-impeding-girl-child-education-in-three-regions-coordinatorhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11779/teenage-pregnancies-impeding-girl-child-education-in-three-regions-coordinatorMrs. Beatrice Nkum, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Coordinator of Girl Child Education has expressed worry that the alarming trend of teenage pregnancies is impeding girl-child education in the three regions. She emphasised that unintended pregnancies should not be a factor for girls to drop out of school, saying, the Ghana Education Service (GES) allowed pregnant girls to stay and complete their basic education. Mrs. Nkum advised parents and guardians to support and encourage their pregnant girls to stay in school and continue their education to at least acquire formal education. She was speaking at the closing session of a two-day mentorship and skill training camp for 61 teenagers held at Fiapre in the Sunyani West District of Bono Region. Mrs. Nkum noted that once a girl was pregnant, she went through serious psychological problems, but if parents drew them closer and encouraged them to continue with their school, they could easily do so. The Department of Gender in collaboration with the National Youth Authority (NYA) organised the two-day camp with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to build the potentials of the young people. They were selected from Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities and Pru District in Bono East Region and Sunyani West District and went through employable skill training in bead making, liquid soap production and body make-ups. Mr. Robin Appiah, the Sunyani Municipal Health Promotion Officer advised adolescent people to take advantage and visit the adolescent health corners (AHCs) spread across the region to access sexual reproductive health services. He told the teenagers that there were several family planning methods that were good for those who could not abstain from pre-marital sex and advised them to visit the AHCs to access them. Mr. Appiah assured them that their confidentiality was always guaranteed, saying, health workers were always available at the corners to counsel and provide them with family planning services. Mrs. Jocelyn Adii, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Gender said sex education among adolescent people was very important to protect themselves from unintended pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). She commended the UNFPA for its continuous support to her Department and called on other development partners to also support the Department to implement programmes that would impact on the lives of boys and girls and society in general.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-06-25T04:10:58+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11766/uds-lecturers-petition-akufo-addohttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11766/uds-lecturers-petition-akufo-addoLecturers at the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) have petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo over what they termed as an increasing spate of robbery attacks on both staff and students of the school. The lecturers, numbering about forty, went to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council in two minibuses to present their petition to the Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, for onward submission to the President. One of the lecturers, Dr. Jane Frances Lobnibe, reading the petition signed by the local chairman of the University Teachers Association of Ghana(UTAG), Dr. Joseph K. Wulifan, said nearly half of their members have suffered robbery attacks in the last couple of years. “We will like to inform you that several of our lecturers have constantly suffered cruel robberies, many at gunpoint with traumatising sequels on their families especially the children. To date, nearly thirty-five per cent of our lectureship have suffered at least one robbery or burglary with some as many as eight times and a total frequency of sixty cases so far between 2016 and now”. She explained that the University, through its campus management, has had engagements with the Upper West Regional Security Council to reduce the incidents but all efforts have proved futile. Dr. Lobnibe decried that “there are instances where victims managed to get their attackers arrested and sent to the police station only for the culprits to be freed.” The group maintained that the situation is impacting negatively on teaching and learning at the University and called on the president to urgently intervene within one month or they will be compelled to lay down their tools to take care of their families. “Your Excellency, we wish to reiterate that we do not feel safe to live and work within the Wa municipality any more and request very serious actions to ensure the security and safety of lecturers and staff of the University. Failure to do so within one month from the date of this letter will compel us to withdraw our services in other to guard our homes”. The Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih who received the petition pledged to relay the concerns of the lecturers to the president. He however assured that his outfit will immediately institute the necessary measures to ensure safety for both the lecturers and students at the school. It will be recalled that students of the school last year threatened to embark on demonstration in protest against violent robbery attacks on some of them that nearly cost their lives. The municipal security at the time promised to address the issue by establishing a police post at the University. When Citi News visited the school, there was no police at the campus. Students in a number of universities including the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Journalism have made similar complaints.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-06-14T14:34:19+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11759/apedwa-nkosuohemaa-donates-math-sets-pens-to-bece-candidateshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11759/apedwa-nkosuohemaa-donates-math-sets-pens-to-bece-candidatesThe Nkosuohemaa of Akyem Apedwa in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area of the Eastern Region, Nana Abena Kyerewaa has charged all candidates of the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the area to come out with flying colour. She made the call when she presented mathematical sets, pens and pencils to some one hundred and sixty candidates in both private and public schools prior to their examination. This is the fourth time the Nkosuohemaa has extended this kind of gesture to school going children in the area to ensure that they are equipped to write their BECE. Speaking to WatchGhana.Com, the Development Queen indicated that the BECE candidates owed a duty to pass their exams and make their parents, their schools and make themselves proud, just as their parents had the responsibility to provide for their needs. Nana Abena Kyerewaa stated that the Apedwa traditional area would continue to lag behind if parents shirk their responsibilities and deny their children the right to education. She said the area needs massive infrastructural development, and employment opportunities to curb the emerging anti-social menace. Aside the free Senior High School policy instituted by the government for Senior High School students, candidates in the area who passed the BECE with flying colours would enjoy a Ghc20,000 scholarship from the Apedwa Scholarship Scheme. In addition, six women benefited from the Apedwa Nkosuokuo with an interest free loan of GHC 300, with a payment period of 3 months, as a support to their businesses. The money when paid would be given to other market women to support their businesses and their family, and likewise for them to pay back", she added. On his part, the Chief of the area, Nana Asante Frimpong II assured inhabitants of the unwavering support of his traditional council behind them and asked for unity and cohesion to build the town. He assured the candidates that, anyone who passed with a single digit aggregate was entitled to benefit from the Apedwa Scholarship Scheme from SHS to Tertiary. Nana Asante Frimpong II called on all citizens of Akyem Apedwa to come home and invest in the town to put Apedwa on the spotlight. Gratitude Some beneficiaries including two pupils from the Apedwa Presbyterian Basic School, Comfort Obenewaa and Herbert Twum were grateful to the Chief and his council of elders for the their benevolent support.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-06-10T22:43:07+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11736/8000-students-get-ultra-modern-ict-lab-from-haf-fyf-samira-bawumiahttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11736/8000-students-get-ultra-modern-ict-lab-from-haf-fyf-samira-bawumiaThe President of Friends of Yamoransa Foundation (FYF) and Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), Dr. Deborah Rose and the Executive Director of HAF, Mr. Japhet Aryiku, both non-profit organisations in the United States has commissioned an ultra modern Computer Lab for the Choggu Demonstration School in the Sagnarigu Municipality of the Northern Region. The 56-seater Model Lab dubbed: “Yamoransa Model Lab-4" is commissioned in collaboration with the Office of Hajia Samira Baumiah, the Second Lady, funded by HAF and FYF and installed by TECHAiDE to enhance the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), English, Mathematics and Science. The facility would benefit over 8,000 children from the host school and nine other surrounding schools. Each of the unique robust computers in the Lab has 30 different educational softwares for Primary and Junior High Schools installed on it to help with the teaching of Science, Technology, English and Mathematics. TECHAiDE also installed its newest innovative technology, the 'ASANKA' which provides free access to educational contents using any wifi enabled device like phone, tablet, laptop, or computer with a wireless card. The current version of the ASANKA installed on the computers has over 500 educational books, videos, Basic Education Certificate Examination past questions for all subjects from 2010 to 2018. The Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia said, ICT continues to play an important role globally in the delivery of services to achieving broad socio-economic goals in education, health, employment and social development. She said many children in the deprived areas of Ghana have little or no access to ICT as a result of lack of infrastructure and inadequate skilled personnel. "As a nation, we owe a duty to the next generation, and that duty is to commit ourselves to the growth and development of our children". Dr Rose said in response and for their love for Computer Literacy Programmes initiated and coordinated the funding for the project to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT. She said, the effort of setting-up these Model Labs began with a mandate by the Ministry of Education, Ghana, to educate young in the emerging fields of ICT. Dr Rose said the educational philosophy of the United States embraces the general liberal arts education, encompassing the humanities, the social and natural sciences, rather than strictly technical or pre-professional training and this is believed was the best preparation to become citizens of the world. Mr Aryiku said the essential mission of the foundation is to work to improve the education, health and social welfare conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Ghana. He said the Lab dedication was in line with the mission and vision of Dr. Rose to promote and spread Computer Literacy throughout the Ghanaian primary school system, adding, "this is the 4th Lab that we have built in Ghana." Mr Aryiku said the Yamoransa Model Lab is a development strategy by HAF and FYF to support and assist projects that are driven by the local community and that leaders in Ghana must be fully committed to support the project in a sustainable way. Mrs Mariam Iddrisu, Municipal Chief Executive for Sagnarigu said, the Municipality was changing trends and taking great strides in the field of education by making basic education affordable and accessible to all. Other dignitaries present were Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, Northern Regional Director of Education, Chiefs, Mr Anis Haffar, Council Member of the Ghana Education Service and other Directors. The project is being managed by IMPLEMENTERS, a project management non-profit firm, with its technology partners; TECHAiDE, who have over 10 years’ experience in technology projects globally.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-05-30T06:48:25+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11689/tamale-school-of-hygiene-sex-scandal-tutors-woes-deepens-as-former-victim-speakshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11689/tamale-school-of-hygiene-sex-scandal-tutors-woes-deepens-as-former-victim-speaksIt does not seem that the woes of Solomon Ossom Asare alias King Solomon, a tutor at the Tamale School of Hygiene will be over anytime soon. Although authorities of the school are yet to take a disciplinary action against him for admitting to pestering a first year female student to have a romantic affair with him, a former student by name Rashida has told Savannah News that she is also a victim of King Solomon’s sexual advances at female students. In a whatsapp chat with this reporter on Wednesday after she read the first publication about King Solomon’s assault on his student which was also published on Ghanaweb.com, Rashida said when she got admission into the school in 2016, the former proposed to her and when she turned him down she hated her throughout her stay in school. “I wish I was there to see him. Because of this tutor I was not able to register for my final exams. Allah will surely punish him for those he messed up our lives….he was my research supervisor and because I refused going out with him….he refused to supervise me do my work”. She continued: “This man proposed to me when I was in level hundred…..because I refused him then he started making life very tough for me on campus….until I fell in love with one guy call Ransford on campus from there he started hating Ransford from there to the extent of driving the boy out of examination hall all in the name of seeing him with a foreign material which wasn’t true according to Ransford’s course mates…..”. This reporter asked Rashida whether she complained to authorities of the school about the refusal of King Solomon to sign her work and this was her response: “Nope because I was afraid…he was the type that can turn issues on you…for you to be blamed for.” It’s almost two weeks since King Solomon assaulted one Portia who turned down a romantic proposal from him. Portia did not like the idea of going out with her tutor and decided that she could not accept his proposal, that is according to one of our multiple sources in the school. On the night of Saturday May 4, 2019, Portia went to the roadside near the school to buy mobile airtime and while on her way back to her dormitory, King Solomon appeared from nowhere calling her to stop for a minute chat. According to our source who wants to remain anonymous, King Solomon verbally assaulted Portia by calling her a foolish and unwise girl who has been going around telling people on campus that he has proposed to her. Dumbfounded by the sudden change of attitude by her tutor towards her, she kept quiet but he aggressively held her by the neck and kept insulting the visibly shaken poor lady. He eventually left Portia but not without telling her “you’ll see”, a statement she found to be life-threatening and decided to call her parents and inform them about what happened. Some female students who earlier spoke to Savannah News, called for widespread investigations by government through the Ministry of Sanitation into the management of the school, recommending specifically the transfer of some particular tutors whom they labeled “notorious womanisers”. According to the students who want to remain anonymous, many female students are in a fixed as they cannot report tutors who make sexual advances at them because they are afraid they will be deliberately failed in their exam. “Honestly speaking, I wish the school was 60 or 80 percent female. Very few of the male tutors are good. The rest makes studying in this school very traumatizing. There’s a group of tutors including Mr. Solomon who are engaged in this devilish act. When you offend one, you offend the whole group. “I have heard one of our tutor’s, madam Huzeima once called all the female students when she was housemistress to advise them against any form of sexual harassment. But some of the students went behind her and told the tutors they were dating. I wasn’t here but when I gained admission into the school I heard it from our seniors. So you see, we the students we’re also our own enemies”, one of the students disclosed. A tutor also added: “My brother, you see this school, only three people are running it. It’s as if the school is theirs. The Minister and the Chief Director at the Ministry of Sanitation (which is responsible for managing all three Schools of Hygiene in the country) must put their feet on the ground and do something. Some of us when we talk, they sideline us in anything they do. So we have kept quiet waiting for this kind of investigation to trigger more investigations from the top, I’m talking about the ministry level, into the school”. Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, King Solomon according to Savannah News’ source in the school on Wednesday went to one of the classes to apologise to students to forgiven him if he had offended any of them in anyway. The source also said “he has been crying like a baby” ever since the first story about him assaulting Portia for rejecting his proposal was published by Savannah News and other online news portals.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-05-16T21:03:20+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11669/school-of-hygiene-tutor-preys-on-female-students-coerce-them-to-go-out-with-him-or-face-the-consequenceshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11669/school-of-hygiene-tutor-preys-on-female-students-coerce-them-to-go-out-with-him-or-face-the-consequencesThere appears to be a growing moral breakdown on the campus of the Tamale School of Hygiene, as one tutor by name Solomon Ossom Asare alias King Solomon, is reportedly bent on ruining the future of female students through romantic affairs rather than moulding them. The tutor is alleged to be forcing female students to enter into romantic relationship with him and those that turn down his request often incur his wrath. The latest incident involving King Solomon has to do with him persistently pestering a first year female student by name Portia to have a romantic relationship with him. Considering the way things were going, the victim finally decided that she could no longer tolerate her tutor and told him she was not interested in having any relationship with him, that is according to one of our multiple sources in the school. On the night of Saturday May 4, 2019, Portia went to the roadside near the school to buy mobile airtime and while on her way back to her dormitory, King Solomon appeared from nowhere calling her to stop for a minute chat. According to our source who wants to remain anonymous, King Solomon verbally assaulted Portia by calling her a foolish and unwise girl who has been going around telling people on campus that he has proposed to her. Dumbfounded by the sudden change of attitude by her father-tutor towards her, she kept quiet but he aggressively held her by the neck and kept insulting the visibly shaken poor lady. He eventually left Portia but not without telling her “you’ll see”, a statement she found to be life-threatening and decided to call her parents and inform them about what happened. Initially, according to our source, Portia decided to go and report the matter to the police but later changed her mind perhaps due to fear of victimization from the school’s management. King Solomon later called Portia to apologise to her for what he had done and asked for her forgiveness. To further demonstrate how remorseful he is, he sent two colleagues of the victim to also go and apologise on his behalf. The incident has become an open secret on the campus of the Tamale School of Hygiene and many people including students and tutors are waiting to see the disciplinary action that will be taken against King Solomon who is alleged to be engaged in such immoral acts ever since his posting to the school in 2016. A Recall of King Solomon’s Past And Modus Operandi According to another source, King Solomon who has been on a secondment to the school for the past two and a half years initially appeared to act like a parent by always counseling his recent victim to take her studies serious. He tells Portia not to hesitate to come to him whenever she needs assistance to understand anything that she is finding difficult to understand in class. This according to our source started immediately the victim gained admission to the school in 2018, specifically during the first term of that academic year. Adding, the source said that, that appears to be his modus operandi whenever he wants to have an affair with a female student. Savannah News’ investigations so far, have revealed that the moral turpitude of King Solomon is no longer a hidden secret on the campus of Tamale School of Hygiene as he is noted for always jumping from one female student to the other in order to cool-off his libido. There is also a case of him allegedly sleeping with a pastor’s wife some time ago in his colleague’s room and it took the intervention of the current acting Principal of the school, Seiwu Bello, to resolve the matter amicably. This was confirmed by Mr. Bello himself when this reporter contacted him for his comments on this recent incident involving King Solomon. It’s a Fallacy! When contacted for his response, King Solomon described the report of him forcing Portia to go out with him as a fallacy and declined to answer further questions. However, intercepted WhatsApp messages between him and Portia hugely confirms that King Solomon wanted to have an affair with her. Some excerpts of the WhatsApp messages from King Solomon to Portia read “Wanna take u down Islamic for discussion. There are other tutors at Hygiene spot. So pls bear with me”. Another one reads “But y are u avoiding me? What have I done?” he asked and Portia responded “Cos I don’t want to have affair. Natin”. Principal’s Response Preliminary investigations by the management of the school have also revealed that King Solomon has been pestering the student in question, the tipping point being May 4, 2019 when he verbally assaulted her.According to Mr. Bello, King Solomon was questioned in a meeting on Friday May 10, 2019 and he admitted that he had been asking his student to have an affair with him. He told this reporter that, King Solomon will be queried by management of the school in order to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to behave like him. When asked whether King Solomon has any record of bad behaviour ever since he was posted to the school, he said there was a time he collected money from students who were supposed to write some exam and when others declined to pay, he threaten that they will not be allowed to write the exam.This incident, according to the Principal was not sanctioned by management of the school and so “when I heard it I asked him to stop. Apart from this issue, I’m not aware of any bad thing that he has ever done”, he indicated. But when this reporter pointed out to him that he was aware of he Mr. Bello ever resolving a matter of sexual allegations leveled against King Solomon by a pastor for sleeping with his wife, his response was that the incident happened outside the school and he was not even the principal by then. Students And Tutor Call For Investigations Savannah News’ investigations also uncovered that, the problem of sexual harassment is deep-seated in the school. For instance, there are allegations of the popular “sex for grades” which is a common practice in many tertiary institutions in the country in the school. Some female students who spoke to this reporter called for widespread investigations into the management of the school, recommending specifically the transfer of some particular tutors whom they labeled “notorious womanisers”. According to the students who want to remain anonymous, many female students are in a fixed as they cannot report tutors who make sexual advances at them because they are afraid they will be deliberately failed in their exam. “Honestly speaking, I wish the school was 60 or 80 percent female. Very few of the male tutors are good. The rest makes studying in this school very traumatizing. There’s a group of tutors including Mr. Solomon who are engaged in this devilish act. When you offend one, you offend the whole group. “I have heard one of our tutor’s, madam Huzeima once called all the female students when she was housemistress to advise them against any form of sexual harassment. But some of the students went behind her and told the tutors they were dating. I wasn’t here but when I gained admission into the school I heard it from our seniors. So you see, we the students we’re also our own enemies”, one of the students disclosed. A tutor also added: “My brother, you see this school, only three people are running it. It’s as if the school is theirs. The Minister and the Chief Director at the Ministry of Sanitation (which is responsible for managing all three Schools of Hygiene in the country) must put their feet on the ground and do something. Some of us when we talk, they sideline us in anything they do. So we have kept quiet waiting for this kind of investigation to trigger more investigations from the top, I’m talking about the ministry level, into the school”. Are There Still Good Staff Available? Despite the current moral decadence at the Tamale School of Hygiene, this reporter also stumbled on many accounts of some students who said but for certain tutors and administrative staff, the school would have collapsed long ago. In no particular order, they mentioned Madam Huzeima, Madam Charity, Madam Victoria the administrator, Madam Alice, Madam Merie, Mr. Dallas, Mr. Amadu, Mr. Karim, Mr. Seidu, Mr. Mohammed, Mr. Rasheed, Mr. Clement, Mr. Adams and some two other casual staff who bear the same first name, Janet. “These tutors and administrative staff we have mentioned are really working hard to make the school run as a tertiary school. As for the rest, the least said about them the better”, the students remarked. Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, management of the school were yet to take a decision on King Solomon. To be continued…………………

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-05-14T19:33:56+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11649/agona-west-mce-organizes-extra-classes-for-bece-candidateshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11649/agona-west-mce-organizes-extra-classes-for-bece-candidatesThe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Agona West, Mrs. Justina Marrigold Assan has organized a three week’s extra classes for the 2019/2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the Municipality as part of preparations towards their final examination. More than 632 candidates from 16 schools benefited from this initiative. At a closing ceremony held in honour of the candidates, the MCE advised them to leave no stone unturned in coming out with flying colours in their BECE examination. She said that the extra classes was organized in line with her vision of improving the standards of education in the Municipality. Mrs. Assan was optimistic that with the kind of preparation being made by the candidates, the Municipality was sure of nothing but success. She appealed to pupils to avoid examination malpractices that could lead to the cancellation of their examination. The MCE assured that the extra classes would not be a nine day wonder, an initiative for achieving distinction in every academic year. Special awards were presented to some hardworking teachers who offered themselves to teach the pupils. The Chairman for the closing ceremony, Nana Kweku Esieni V, Nifahene of Agona Swedru also advised the pupils that for every community to develop it depends on the academic excellence of its people. The Director of Education for Agona West Municipality, Madam Elizabeth Ellen Essel also encouraged them to make the three week extra classes impact positively by getting good grades in their examination. She expressed her appreciation to the MCE for being a mother for all the 2019 BECE candidates, and also expressed confidence for success from the pupils. The Coordinators of the programme, Ernesto Series Multimedia Ltd shared their joy to be part of an initiative like that and were hopeful the children will excel in this year’s BECE.  

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-05-06T07:37:45+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11648/agona-swedru-traditional-council-to-build-ict-centre-for-youthhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11648/agona-swedru-traditional-council-to-build-ict-centre-for-youthThe Agona Swedru Traditional Council has released land for the construction of an ultra-modern ICT training centre for the youth of the area. The centre is meant to enhance quality education especially in the area of research for students and teachers. At a brief ceremony to pour libation to dedicate the land acquired for the construction of the ICT centre, the Paramount Chief of Agona Swedru, Ogidigram Okrupi Nana Aseidu II was optimistic that the project would motivate many students to learn new things to improve their knowledge. The Agona Swedru ICT centre was supposed to be built in last two years after funding was raised during the two previous Akwambo Festival by the Chiefs and people of the area. However, the ICT project was delayed by the inability of the traditional council to secure a good land for that purpose. Meanwhile, the traditional council of Agona Swedru has constituted a new Committee to oversee the planning and execution of the 2019 Akwambo festival which is scheduled to come off from August 11th to 18th, 2019. The Committee is made up of distinguished personalities from the town including; Hon. Apostle Emmanuel Coffie (Chairman), Mr. Sam Anthony (Vice Chairman), Elder Samuel Eduful (Secretary) and Ebusuapanyin Kwaku Essoun (Treasurer). The jubilant youth of the area commended their leaders for such an important initiative which sought to empower the youth educationally. They pledged their support towards the project by offering themselves for any labour work.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-05-05T19:26:06+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11606/free-shs-npp-govt-hasnt-printed-new-textbooks-since-ndc-left-power-kofi-adamshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11606/free-shs-npp-govt-hasnt-printed-new-textbooks-since-ndc-left-power-kofi-adamsA former National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kofi Adams is alleging that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo has refused to print out new textbooks for senior high schools. Mr Adams who was speaking on Inside Politics on Radio XYZ 93.1 Wednesday said the situation is affecting teaching and learning activities in various senior high schools which are facing other challenges. “Since the NDC left power, this [Akufo-Addo] government has not printed out new textbooks for the senior high schools so students do not get the required textbooks to facilitate their learning,” Mr Adams told host Mugabe Maase. His reaction comes at a time the free senior high school policy implemented by the current government has been criticised by the NDC following its numerous challenges that have led to the ‘double track’ system. But Mr Adams said not only does the free SHS policy lack the basic infrastructure that has resulted in the double track but various essential teaching and learning materials which include textbooks. Under the John Mahama administration, a total of 12.8 million core textbooks, 2.5 million dictionaries were procured and distributed to schools. According to former Education Minister, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, 472,800 teachers’ notebooks, 653,700 class attendance registers and 4,994,328 boxes of white chalk and 180,000 boxes of coloured chalk were also distributed to schools. Free SHS Challenges Worrying Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak who was also a panel member on Inside politics sent a strong signal to the government to deal with the many challenges facing the Free SHS policy. Asking the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, to focus on addressing the numerous challenges facing the programme than to “lie” about former President John Mahama, Dr Apaak expressed worry over the policy and disclosed that stakeholders are fed up with how the policy runs across the country. “I am a rural MP and I know what I’m saying,” the former University of Ghana lecturer noted. “Old folks in my constituencies are complaining. They say this thing [double track] is not helping at all. And these are the people who are uneducated. They say the double track has not helped at all.” The academic mentioned that his constituents had been raising serious concerns on how the free SHS had negatively affected their children since the introduction of the double track system. He asked, “What is the point when it is supposed to be free and the parents have to pay for extra classes for their kids when they are vacation?” and continued that parents had complained about the long vacation period for the double track pupils. “Because the parents can’t pay for the classes [when the kids are home] they engage in all kind of bad things,” he added and mentioned that the teenagers have resorted to excessive betting and the abuse of tramadol. His comment comes on the back of Dr Bawumia’s backlash on former president John Mahama over his recent remark on the policy. The Vice President who was speaking at a rally in Kwahu in the Eastern Region last weekend heavily criticised Mr Mahama saying, “I hear somebody says that we are spending too much on free SHS… That we are spending too much on free SHS so we won’t have money to do other things… “I am from the North and I benefited from the free SHS and I think it is good for the people from the North and the entire country. There will be no room for hypocrisy on this matter… the NPP does not want to listen to the NDC who tell us free SHS is not good and saying other bad things with regards to the policies of the NPP’’. But reacting to the remark, Dr Clement Apaak expressed surprise at the posture of the Vice President, stressing that former president John Mahama had “not said anywhere that he would collapse the free SHS.” He said the assertions of Dr Bawumia were “against the realities of the ground” because the free shs was indeed facing challenges which he claimed the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Ata had attested to. “I don’t know why he [Dr Bawumia] will come and attack the former president…when free SHS issues are mentioned they [NPP leaders] feel jittery…Mr Mahama only said he would review the policy. And reviewing policy isn’t bad,” The MP said and questioned, “Has this government not reviewed almost everything that happened under the previous government including contracts?” Dr Apaak further urged Ghanaians not to believe the “propaganda of the NPP” clarifying that the opposition NDC is not against the free SHS but its deficiencies that is marring the policy.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-04-25T08:13:37+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11548/male-teachers-peep-at-us-bongo-shs-girlshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11548/male-teachers-peep-at-us-bongo-shs-girlsSome students of the Bongo Senior High School in the Upper East Region have been sent home to forestall chaos after the female students boycotted breakfast and lunch over allegations that their senior housemaster and some male tutors often peep at them while nude in their dormitories. The students’ refusal to go for their meals prompted the authorities to shut down the school on Thursday, 4 April 2019. The teachers have denied the allegation. However, at a meeting meant to address the concerns of the students, some of them allegedly started hurling stones at the school authorities and in the process damaged some glass windows. The Bongo police command and some reinforcement from the regional police headquarters were called in to foil possible chaos. The DCE for Bongo, Peter Ayinbisa has been meeting with the school authorities on the situation to find a solution.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-04-05T13:57:05+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11442/back-your-words-with-actions-nugs-to-governmenthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11442/back-your-words-with-actions-nugs-to-governmentThe National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS) has charged government to bring to fruition projects that have been repeatedly stated so as to improve the educational sector. NUGS noted that the educational sector has been fraught with challenges that affect the quality, however, they are optimistic that government’s intended intervention could a positive impact in the system. In a press release issued and signed by the NUGS President Asare Tinkaro, NUGS presented its position on aspects of the President’s State of the Nation Address that has to do with education. “We at NUGS are pleased to note with delight when the president stated that “We are not sparing any efforts to make education in Ghana of the best quality and for the needs of 21st Century” but we urge the Government not to make it just a word of mouth but must be backed by actions for the betterment of education and youth development in the country,” the students’ group stated. In the five-point press release, NUGS urged President Nana Akufo-Addo and by extension the government to ensure broader consultations on the various interventions it hopes to implement to enrich the policies. NUGS appealed to the government to better shape these interventions to forestall any avoidable challenges that may confront the policies and negate the intended impact as has been witnessed with similar interventions in the sector in previous years. Find below the full press release by the body NUGS STATES ITS POSITION ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES RAISED BY H.E. NANA ADDO DANKWAH AKUFO ADDO DURING THE SONA 2019 The National Union of Ghana Students wishes to use this opportunity to state its position on the state of the Nation’s address that was delivered by President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo. We at NUGS are pleased to note with delight when the president stated that “We are not sparing any efforts to make education in Ghana of the best quality and for the needs of 21st Century” but we urge the Government not to make it just a word of mouth but must be backed by actions for the betterment of education and youth development in the country. New standards based curriculum from kindergarten to class 6 in primary schools In the president’s speech, he stated that a new standards-based curriculum will be rolled out from Kindergarten to class 6 in primary schools which he stated will focus on making Ghanaian children confident, innovative, creative- thinking, digitally-literate, well rounded, patriotic citizens with Mathematics, Science, Reading and Writing at the heart of this new curriculum. Fidelity of implementation of educational policies continues to be a big challenge in Ghana primarily because in most cases the teachers who are the final implementers of the curriculum are sidelined. However, it is not too late to kick-start a nationwide sensitization and familiarization of the new curriculum for the teachers at the basic level. NUGS lauds this initiative but we believe that making history a part of these key focus of study at the infant level will help shape the mindsets and mentality of the school children since knowing their history and that of their forefathers who sacrificed for them yesterday will go along way in helping improve their servitude for the future. The union believes that school children must be taught in their local languages. Over these years, governments upon governments have tried their best in ensuring that schools teach with their local languages but not a concrete decision has over the years been made to make it possible. We believe that you will work at ensuring that this dream by the National Union of Ghana Students is achieved. Legislation to redefine basic education to include Senior High School The President spoke about the need to make legislation to Senior High Schools a part of the basic education. NUGS believes that this idea is laudable but in making such a legislation the Government must take into consideration the various questions, suggestions and comments that have been given over these past two years of its introduction so as to help shape the Free Senior High School Policy for the betterment of the future of the Country. Indeed, NUGS believes that Free Education is important therefore we encourage that regular checks should be done to ensure feasibility of the policy, provide students with capabilities they require to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies and enhance individual well-being. It’s necessary that an assessment of the quality of the policy over these past two years is done to make the policy better. This also should inform the kind of curriculum that is implemented at the secondary level. It should be the kind of curriculum that positions the student not only for tertiary education but also for the world of work. Cconstruction of 10 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) NUGS lauds such a plan and it’s of the firm belief that the construction of 100 new TVET centres will help serve as centers to improve career path for students and the youth of Ghana who may not have gotten the opportunity to enter the Senior Secondary Education System. However, the Ministry should also continue with its renovation of the existing TVET centres and equip them with the needed teaching and learning resources. In fact, agricultural institutes should be given the same attention and if possible the construction of new agricultural institutes should also be a priority. 10 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Centres being built NUGS was pleased to note that plans are in place to build 10 STEM Centers to provide training on science and technology for students and youth of this country. The union believes that the inclusion of Science and technology into the basic education development is also key to the progress of this country, especially the world which is gradually moving into a digitised world in order not to let the youth and students lag behind in terms of Science and technology development. The Ghanaian education system is of more theoretical therefore we plead that a more practical aspect of the syllabus should be introduced, it would ensure a more technical know-how in the field of study. NUGS believes that the Presidential Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Innovation under the Leadership of Prof.Edward Ayensu will help set a new path for the advancement of science and technology Development in the country. Tertiary Education Policy The National Union of Ghana Students calls on the Government to invovle the student leaders on the Tertiary Education Policy Bill since they are the major stakeholders in its implementation. NUGS has not been consulted on the Tertiary Education Policy Bill neither has any bloc and Students’ Representative Council been and we at NUGS believes that in as much as the idea behind it is good and will help centralised the development of the public institutions, consulting and involving the student leadership for broader input will help Shape the policy to be implemented. NUGS wishes to use this avenue to call for more involvement between the Government and NUGS in making this policy successful. NUGS will also use this opportunity to call for the intervention of the Government in collaborating with the various managements of public institutions to put plans in place to solve issues of accommodation especially with the numbers that are expected to be in the universities as a result of the Free SHS Policy. NUGS urges the Government to also pay close attention towards the development of youth and students of this country especially student leadership in order to provide the needed training and guidance for the students who wish to serve their country. NUGS is committed to serving students of Ghana and we will continue to be firm and work in line with the directive principles ascribed in the constitution of the country. Thank you. Signed Kobby Otchere Marfo Press & Information Secretary, NUGS 0240852651 Tinkaro Asare Osei President, NUGS 0543253243

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-02-26T18:52:08+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11420/akufo-addo-announces-new-curriculum-for-kg-to-p6https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11420/akufo-addo-announces-new-curriculum-for-kg-to-p6Kindergarten and primary schools across the country are set to roll into a new curriculum come September 2019. This new system is expected to “make education in Ghana the best quality and fit for the needs of the 21st century.” The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament Thursday that the new curriculum has been drawn from “best practice all over the world.” He said since there are no shortcuts to having an educated and skilled workforce, the new curriculum will focus on making Ghanaian children confident innovative, creative thinkers, digitally literate and well-rounded patriotic citizens. “Mathematics, Science, Reading, Writing and creativity are therefore the heart of this new curriculum,” he said. Basic education to include Senior High School The President also announced that in 2019 his government is set to get legislation to redefine basic education to include Senior High School. “Poverty should not be an excuse for any Ghanaian child not to reach their potential, it, therefore, warms my heart that we are able to say education in the public sector is free from kindergarten to Senior High School,” he said. Currently, basic education includes kindergarten to Junior High. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) The President also announced that all is set for the construction of 10 Technical and Vocational Education and Training centres in 2019. “The new TVET centres will be world class and well equipped to assure young people that they are not being sent to second-best options,” Akufo-Addo said.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-02-21T13:40:24+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11376/jhs-shs-leavers-to-get-diplomas-undergrads-to-do-3-years-napohttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11376/jhs-shs-leavers-to-get-diplomas-undergrads-to-do-3-years-napoThe government of Ghana is planning to upgrade junior high and senior high school certificates to diplomas. Also, there are plans to reduce the number of years spent by undergraduates at the university from four to three years. These were announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh at the 2019 Danquah Institute Leadership lecture on the theme: “World-Class Education an Imperative for the Next Generation of Leaders”. While JHS leavers will a National Higher Diploma, SHS leavers will get National Diplomas. In Dr Prempeh’s view, the government does not see why students must necessarily go the university or a tertiary institution before being prepared for the job market. “The curriculum that will appear for the Junior High School will lead to a National Higher Diploma. When you finish Senior High School, you get a National Diploma. It is not everybody who must go to the University straight, but we must prepare our kids for the world of work.” “And that National Diploma will ensure that our kids can go straight to work. If someone can go with the Middle School leaving certificate into the army, why can’t someone go now with Senior High School diploma into work? That should be good enough that anybody who has passed and has a certificate should be able to be employed provided we have prepared that person,” he said. As far as the duration of university education at the undergraduate level is concerned, Dr Prempeh said: “Everywhere in the world, undergrad is three years, not four years. Why should we spend four years doing undergrad? We will sit down with the university lecturers and start challenging them because Ghana is not an island”.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-02-10T13:57:16+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11360/2019-bece-to-start-from-june-10-14https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11360/2019-bece-to-start-from-june-10-14The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revised the date for the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE). In a statement, the GES said the new date for the examination is now June 10 to June 14, 2019. The initial calendar for the BECE to take place had the date for the examination date set for June 3 to June 7. “Management of the Ghana Education Service wishes to inform you that the revised date for the above-mentioned examination is the 10th to 14th June 2019,” sections of the statement read. The statement added that all heads of basic schools must prepare their students according to the new scheduled date. Candidates in the third year of Junior High Schools approved by the Ghana Education Service are eligible to register to take part in the BECE. Students who are registered will partake in the core subjects English Language, Social Studies Integrated Science and Mathematics. Meanwhile, the elective subjects include Ghanaian Language and Culture, Basic Design and Technology, Religious & Moral Education, Information and Communication Technology, as well as French which is optional.

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]]>Miscellaneous2019-02-05T07:06:34+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11196/uwr-39-children-with-eye-conditions-receive-support-from-blissful-sight-for-kids-ngoshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11196/uwr-39-children-with-eye-conditions-receive-support-from-blissful-sight-for-kids-ngosThe Blissful Sight For Kids Project has handed 39 eye lenses to school children in the Wa Municipality after successful screening of 361 school children at the municipal education secretariat a week ago. The affected students received their lenses beaming with smiles and jiggles, and now hopeful that the lenses will help improve their vision during studies at night. Five (5) year old Ms Cindy of St. Aiden Anglican KG School would now study with no difficulty after receiving a pair of medicated lense from Bliss Eye Care at no cost at all. Madam Stella Sungbamaana the KG1 teacher expressed satisfaction at the situation little Cindy now finds herself. She complained about how the little girl could not identify alphabets on the blackboard from her seat and had to walk to the board to see properly. She also lamented over how she always isolated herself from her mates most at times. ‘She likes bowing down before writing but with this, the head is up and she is able to write and I know she is now seeing what she is doing’ Madam Stella added. This story may not be any different from several children all over the region and beyond, who may not have such opportunities available to these beneficiaries. In conjunction with the Ghana Education Service, Bliss Eye Care is embarking on this project aimed at improving children with sight defects, to enable them study with ease. The project has so far reached out to over 2,224 school children across the Upper West Region of the country. 257 has so far received various spectacles and optical aids to correct their visual defects whilst 1,628 received treatment for some eye conditions they presented to the various eye camps organized to screen the children. Dr. Zakarea Al-hasan Balure, the team leader for the project speaking at the Municipal Education office, bemoaned the notion people have for children using corrective lenses. The team leader said it isn’t true using such aids would leave children blind in the future. In fact he explained situations some children have had their sights corrected and don’t even use the lenses anymore as they mature. Presenting the lenses, Dr. Zakarea educated the school children and their parent on the best practices of keeping the lenses insisting they are expensive objects. This he said they need to know so that they would better appreciate the objects. He bemoaned the attitude generally towards handling things given for free, insisting getting things for free doesn’t mean it is cheap. The municipal PRO of the GES Mr. Osman Sagripeo speaking on behalf of the director was grateful for the intervention offered by Bliss Eye Care. The PRO also asked the children not to shy when their friends make fun of them. The Regional School Health and Adolescent Officer of Health with the Ghana Health Service, Madam Rosemary Banpie cautioned the children to take very good care of the lenses received. She advised that proper care be taken to prevent their colleagues from damaging the devices. In attendance was the Municipal Special Education Coordinator Mr. Abudu Issahaku, Municipal Health Education Program coordinator Mr. Abugri Timothy and the Mangu Circuit Supervisor Mr. Issahaku Badoung and some parents of the benefactors. The project which has funded over 60 medicated lenses in its recent outreach is always supported by the families of Hans K. Maedar and Dr. Fasnacht and Mr. Roland Studar and the PRO VISUS organization of Switzerland. However, two critical cases identified during the screening stages are yet to receive surgical operations for free in January next year.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-12-18T06:46:29+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11168/uwr-jang-jhs-pupils-receive-mathematics-text-bookshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11168/uwr-jang-jhs-pupils-receive-mathematics-text-booksStudents of Jang Junior High School in the Nadowli-Kaleo district of the Upper West Region have received mathematics pamphlets from an old student of the school. At a brief ceremony to hand over the books to the school, the author, Nicho Domanumbu said his desire to empower students of Jang was because he benefited so much from the school. Narrating his past moments at the school, Mr. Domanumbu said he attend the school from primary 2 till JHS 2 and left for another school. He is thus convinced Jang JHS prepared him to make a good grade at his BECE and called on the students to aspire higher. He however desired to make the books available for students throughout the area but lamented over the costs involved, calling on well wishers to support the cause. The books 'Excellent Grade Series' valued at GHC 3,200 are from efforts of the author and one Hermes Abudi a native of the community currently studying his PHD in China. The Chief of Jang, Naa Alhassan Musah Kanchiiha Gaguo II was however grateful for the efforts made by the author to present such important materials to the school at such a moment and urged the students to take advantage of the books. Tibani Naa Bob Logga, a quest speaker at the gathering expressed the need for students to take mathematics lessons seriously. He explained that maths as a subject could prepare a person's mindset with the ability to think critically. Naa Logga explained technology is developed from simple calculations. ‘Maths is so simple but it is complex and must be taken very serious’. He added. He also challenged the students to perform better in subsequent exams as the Nadowli-Kaleo district scored a total of 36% in mathematics in the recent BECE results. 160 books were donated to the circuit supervisor, Mr. Augustine Tingani. Some 60 copies of the books were distributed to neighboring schools of Janguosi JHS, Chang JHS and Lamburi JHS. The Head teacher of Jang JHS Mr. Bayor Aziz said the gesture was a historic feat in the school and wished such supports came regularly but also lamented over accommodation for his teachers and electricity for better ICT studies at the school. A total of 1,047 pupils sat for the BECE exams last year of which only 71 passed in mathematics, with 45 boys and 26 girls representing 6.8% of the pass mark.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-12-10T13:28:17+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11054/uwr29-students-received-eye-glasses-from-blissful-sight-for-kids-projecthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11054/uwr29-students-received-eye-glasses-from-blissful-sight-for-kids-projectA total of 29 students in the Daffiama-Bussie-Isa district on Monday received medicated glasses from the Blissful Sight For Kids project offered by Bliss Eye Care in Wa. Students from Daffiama Senior High, St. Theresa Vocational and some basic schools are beneficiaries of the glasses, after an outreach eye screening exercise to in the area. The glasses meant to improve students with visual defects, cost the project to the tune of about GH 10,000. This follows series of screening exercises in schools across the region last month as part of improving learning at schools by way of good sights. A research by Dr. Al-hasan Zakarea Balure of Bliss Eye Care showed that children with visual defects stressed more during schooling hours and complained of headaches resulting from efforts these children make to see clearly at school? The headmaster of Daffiama Senior High school, Mr. Charles Lewil was however grateful for the kind gesture being extended to the students and called for more support for the project and also expressed satisfaction for the kindness shown children with visual defects and other eye conditions. He called on donors to continue to fund the project to achieve its purpose. In a brief ceremony, Mr. Dobaara Frances, DBI Education Officer called on the students to take good care of their eyes as young people and handle the glasses given them with care. “from today onwards, you sit up and be cautious of your eye, the eye is the master of the human” he added. Students took turns to receive their glasses with lots of excitement expressing relieved from the situations they have lived with for a while now. One of the students reencountered a situation where his dad could not afford to pay for his eye lenses due to the cost it involved. In a brief ceremony to hand over the medicated eye lenses to the individual students, Dr. Al-hasan Zakarea Balure the team leader of the project cautioned the beneficiaries to take proper care of the glasses and use the optical devices as expected. Dr. Balure advised the students not to be shy to use the lenses to improve their sights as their mates could make fun of them for wearing eye lenses. Miss Nindaara Gloria a student of Daffiama SHS and a beneficiary of the Optical Lenses said she is grateful to God for the device as he sometimes copied wrong questions in class and was happy the glasses would help in her studies. Fataw Fatima was also happy she got medicated glasses for free.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-11-15T15:38:30+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11018/uwrno-courses-moved-from-uds-wa-campus-regional-ministerhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11018/uwrno-courses-moved-from-uds-wa-campus-regional-ministerThe Upper West regional minister Alhaji Alhasan Suleimana has rubbished claims that courses and faculties are being moved out of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies. Commenting on the issues at the school that resulted in a demonstrations over the weekend, the minister expressed fears that, the group had demonstrated for no tangible reason. He further stated that the realignments was only meant for lecturers who are unproductive at Wa Campus of the school. On issues of the demonstration, the head of REGSEC stated that he had no knowledge about the contents as it was not mandatory for him to know the contents of a press conference. Alhaji Suleimana posited that in every human society, people had divergent views and the concerns of demonstrators didn't have any justification. The minister said it was just opinions being expressed on the streets of Wa last Saturday. Mr. Suleiman who was speaking on local radio station, Radio Progress this evening said to his knowledge, no student or course is being moved. ‘‘They are not moving a caurse, they are not moving students” he added. He said the realignment was meant for only lecturers and not to take courses away from the Wa campus. On the phone line as he spoke on the stations flagship programs, Bonbi Ayirn, the minister said he was properly briefed by the principal of the school, Pro. Amin Alhassan. Reacting to the regional minister, Suleiga, a convenor of the concerned citizens expressed worry on the situation and acerterd the minister was downplaying the real issue at the school. He sighted instances where the Faculty of Education had been moved from the Wa campus and described the minister's stance as untrue. He how ever called on resident of Wa and the authorities that be to see to the autonomy of the Wa campus. Social media users have since taken turns to register their displeasure of the regional ministers response on the mater of the only University in the region and doubting his relevance on the issues of UDS Wa campus.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-11-05T18:12:46+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11015/massive-demo-hits-wa-over-uds-realignmentshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/11015/massive-demo-hits-wa-over-uds-realignmentsScores of residents of the Upper west region yesterday demonstrated on the principal streets of Wa against the realignments proposal being implemented by the central administration of the University for Development Studies, UDS. The demonstration which was organised by a group calling itself the Concerned Citizens of the region witnessed several numbers in attendance. Participants clothed in red and black chanted several slogans in solidarity of the march. Market women and transport owners where not left out in registering their displeasure about the state of the Was campus. The group indicated the peaceful walk as one of the several strategies in place to see to the betterment of UDS Wa Campus. Placards read “MR. PRESIDENT THANK YOU. SAVE WA CAMPUS” “EXPEDITE ACTION ON THE AUTONOMY OF WA CAMPUS” “WA CAMPUS IS SINKING” “AUTONOMY NOW” and several messages calling on the leadership of the school. Spokesperson for the group, Ishaque Suleiman addressing the press after the demonstration outlined a strategy he claimed was a ploy by authorities to make the Wa campus weak in numbers. He pointed out how the realignment of UDS only took faculties away from the Wa campus and non brought in return. Mr. Suleiman alleged deliberate attempts are being made by the central administration to take away all relevant causes away from the Wa campus to the Tamale and Navorongo campus in a bid to collapse the Wa campus. The faculty of education is one such department the demonstrators called the authorities to bring back to the Wa campus. The PNC national Youth Organiser Kanleoba Awudulai Ishague who was present for solidarity in uplifting the status of the Wa campus was however disappointed by politicians of the region “over their large silence”. Mr. Awudulai also lauded the efforts of the Upper West regional house of chiefs for their efforts in calling on government to give the Wa campus autonomy as far back as 2013 and assured that everything possible would be made to achieve the desired impact. Some concerned groups have so far issued statements in support of the demonstration and a court process filed at the Tamale High court to stop the university authorities from further implementing the realignment document. The Graduation. The 2018 year graduands of the Wa campus have issued threats to boy court the graduation ceremony in Tamale. This follows the directive to all graduates of the Wa campus to be in Tamale for this year’s graduation ceremony. In less than a week to the graduation ceremony scheduled to take place here in Wa, the school has asked graduates to head to Tamale for rehearsal purpose by coming Friday and failure to participate in the rehearsal comes with its consequence. In a press release, the graduands described the school authority as being autocratic in their decision and called on the President of the country to intervene as he is expected to be the Guest of Honor.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-11-04T22:15:41+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10991/group-explodes-over-ploy-to-collapse-wa-campus-of-udshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10991/group-explodes-over-ploy-to-collapse-wa-campus-of-udsConcerned Citizens of the Upper West Region have registered their utmost displeasure at the authorities of the University for Development Studies (UDS) over “deliberate” attempt to truncate the process of making the Wa Campus autonomous. According to group, the Wa Campus of UDS had since 2012 been earmarked to become an autonomous university due to its large students population, quality of academic programs, lectures and strategic location. But there had been a deliberate attempt by the authorities at the Central Administration to subvert the chances of the Wa Campus to stand on its own. At a news conference here in Wa, the Upper West Region, the concerned citizens backed by some sympathizers of the UDS, asserted that the Wa Campus had seen drastic reduction in students enrollment from 4,612 in 2014 to 2,413 in 2017, which represents about 50% reduction. Spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens, Ishaque Sulemana said that as part of the grand scheme by the Central Administration in Tamale, some critical faculties were being moved from Wa to other campuses. The UDS has campuses in Nyankpala, Tamale, Navrongo and Wa. He said that, the Faculty of Arts- Department of Communication Studies and Innovation, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Department of Public Relations and Advertising and the Department of Library and Information Studies had been moved to the Tamale and Navrongo Campus as well as the Faculty of Social Science-Department of Sociology and Social Work, Department of Geography, Department of Political Science and Center for Regional Integration among others. The Concerned Citizens demanded the immediate removal of the Principal of the Wa Campus of UDS, Prof Amin Alhassan for failing to protect the interest of the school and also for failing to market it properly. They maintained that they would not relent on their efforts but would explore every available means including demonstrations or shutting down of the lecture halls to ensure the seeming plot to collapse the Wa Campus of UDS did not succeed. The Upper West Concerned Citizens commended the Regional House of Chiefs for making relentless efforts to ensure the school was made autonomous.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-31T17:42:51+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10963/kumasi-technical-suspends-intended-demo-after-ministers-interventionhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10963/kumasi-technical-suspends-intended-demo-after-ministers-interventionThe Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service and the Police, have averted a planned protest by students of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI). The planned demonstration by the final year students was to protest management’s decision to have students write their examination in dining halls instead of classrooms. Mr. Osei Mensah, who addressed the students, asked the student leadership body to submit their grievances to his office. “SRC , your leaders, consult the whole student body and then submit your petition in a written form to the Regional Minister latest by close of day on Monday. “By 5:00pm you should submit your petition then we will look through your grievances then we the people here, together with some other members will look at them and do our best to resolve them,”he said. Following a violent protest at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), there has been a similar indication from the University of Ghana and now KTI. Students of both schools have however suspended their intended demonstrations. UG suspends intended demonstration The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of UG indefinitely suspended its intended demonstration, following an assurance by management to address their concerns. On Wednesday, the SRC said it would by the end of this week hold a demonstration to compel management to address the challenges with the school’s shuttle services and the operationalization of power plants on campus. But shortly after the threat, management met with the SRC executives and discussed a number of measures and actions to ensure that the issues are resolved amicably. Addressing the students after the meeting, Sylvester Amoako Quarshie, President of the SRC, said the demonstration has been suspended because the SRC and management have reached a consensus in the interest of students. “We want to say as SRC that we will hold our guns, we will relax, we will cooperate with students and management to make sure that our SRC will be better. All indications of demonstrations are hereby suspended until further notice.”

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-26T10:27:24+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10960/knust-utag-condemns-governing-council-dissolution-cautions-govthttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10960/knust-utag-condemns-governing-council-dissolution-cautions-govtThe Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), says it is surprised by government’s decision to dissolve the school’s Governing Council. The decision to dissolve the board was taken following meetings between the government, university management and other stakeholders over the recent violent protest by students that has led to a closure of the school. A statement from the government said a 7-member Interim Council will be put in place to oversee the affairs of the school, while the school which has been closed since Tuesday following the violence, will be opened within 14-days. The government said the interim council will be chaired by the Paramount Chief of Bompata Traditional Area, Nana Effa Apenteng for the 3-month period it has been given to serve. The new council is also expected to expedite the reopening of the university. The government’s statement in justifying the need for the new interim governing council said council was “not in a position to review its own processes and decisions affecting the student body to guarantee peace.” But the local chapter of UTAG in a statement signed by its President, Prof. Eric K. Forkuo, indicated that it is opposed to the dissolution as it “frowns on the autonomy of the University and smacks of political interference.” It also wondered why government failed to resort to the existing Act and Statutes in resolving the issue. Some reports have suggested that the national association is also against the decision, and may hold an emergency meeting on Friday in that regard. Below is the statement from the KNUST UTAG The Executive Committee of the University Teachers Association of Ghana is surprised, and, indeed disturbed by the dissolution of the University’s Governing Council by government in disregard to the Act and Statutes governing the University. It is obvious that this action by government is as a result of the current impasse on campus. UTAG is of the view that there are enough provisions and mechanisms enshrined in the Act and Statutes for the resolution of such issues. We do not believe that the action taken by government is the best way to resolve the issue as it frowns on the autonomy of the University and smacks of political interference. UTAG-KNUST, therefore, wishes to state emphatically that it does not accept this interim arrangement by government and insist on government allowing the Act and Statutes of the University to work. Should the Government insist on going forward with its interim arrangement , UTAG will have no option, other than to advise itself with immediate effect. Background The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) led the demonstration following the arrest of 10 students and one alumnus of the school. The Executive Council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to end the management’s neglect of students in decision making. The students were arrested for a holding vigil on campus without permission according to the school authorities. One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security was hospitalized. The KNUST management however justified the arrests, after the students were released on Saturday.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-26T10:17:27+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10958/ug-distance-students-threaten-demo-over-poor-academic-conditionshttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10958/ug-distance-students-threaten-demo-over-poor-academic-conditionsSome aggrieved students of the University of Ghana’s distance education unit are calling on the university authorities to improve their teaching and learning conditions. According to them, the poor services rendered to them is unbearable. Although their mode of study; distance education is to allow them to combine e-learning and face to face interaction mode of the learning, the reality according to them is completely different. They have thus threatened to embark on a demonstration to push the university authorities to do what is right. In an interview, the students expressed their frustrations over lack of lecture halls, delay in the provision of learning materials, a non-functional online portal for registration and delay in the release of grades. Uncomfortable lecture theatres The students are unhappy about the discomfort due to the congestion in these lecture halls. An open source learning management system (LMS), Sakai, that was created for the students for assignments is fraught with operational challenges. “When we come for lectures, we are mostly overcrowded in the class. We do not even have a place to sit. Even lecturers don’t come on time. When we are going to take our Sakai online tests at the labs, there is no space. There are few computers that can’t serve a large number of students. We need more computers to ease the pressure on us. The high cost of school fees The students also claim the cost of tuition coupled with poor services rendered is taking a toll on their finances. They accused lecturers of leaving them in the hands of ‘inexperienced’ teaching assistants. According to one of the students, “We are not getting value for the fees we pay. The school fees is expensive, but conditions for teaching and learning are extremely poor. At times, we travel long distances for lectures and meet the class cancelled”. “There are instances where we do not even see our lecturers throughout the whole the semester. The teaching assistants who teach us are also not up to the task, and it affects us during the end of semester examinations,” he added. Challenges with online registration The students who are expected to register for the academic semester said there are always issues with the online portal when the time for registration is due. They also bemoaned instances where grades for courses they had taken for previous semesters are delayed unnecessarily or even not released. “There are times the online portal for registration is not opened for weeks. And if you do not register, management tends to blame you for negligence. There are always delays, and they tell us different stories. Some of our grades are still not in. We have complained about it several times but to no avail”, a frustrated student disclosed. UG distance education programme The University of Ghana introduced the distance education module as a way of widening access to its academic programmes through technology-mediated learning. The programme has over the years been revised to harness the potential of cutting-edge educational technology that will reduce the space between the lecturer and the distance learner. In spite of these innovations, students enrolled in the programme are unhappy about how the module is run.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-26T10:11:17+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10957/excluding-knust-vc-from-new-university-council-disrespectful-minorityhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10957/excluding-knust-vc-from-new-university-council-disrespectful-minorityA Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has described as disrespectful the exclusion of the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Obiri-Danso from the 7-member interim council formed by the government on Thursday. The government constituted the new council after it dissolved the previous one following a high-level meeting it held with all stakeholders in the Ashanti Region over the impasse between the University Authorities and students that led to a violent protest by the students. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency said the minority in Parliament is working to haul the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh before the education committee to explain reasons for Prof. Obiri-Danso’s exclusion from the interim council. He noted that it was strange for the student representative council to be represented on the interim council while the Vice-Chancellor has been excluded. “The minority’s view is that we are not happy with the development. In trying to resolve this matter, you have formed an interim council and you have left out the Vice Chancellor and on that interim council, you have a student leader. It is a sign of disrespect towards the Vice Chancellor. As the Ranking Member of Education, I will serve notice to the Chairman of the committee to invite the minister to appear before the committee to explain this action.” Vice Chancellors ordinarily are always made members of the council of the institutions they oversee as they manage the day-to-day affairs of the institution. Already, the exclusion of Prof. Obiri Danso is sparking speculations that it is a step by the government towards sacking or forcing the Vice Chancellor to step down. Some of the students who participated in last Monday’s violent protest that resulted in the loss of several properties including over 40 private cars belonging to lecturers, have called for the head of the Vice Chancellor, describing him as an autocrat and an oppressor.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-26T10:08:18+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10956/minority-to-quiz-napo-for-having-src-rep-on-knust-council-without-vchttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10956/minority-to-quiz-napo-for-having-src-rep-on-knust-council-without-vcThe Minority in Parliament is unhappy about the exclusion of the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Obiri Yeboah from the University’s new interim council although the Students’ Representative Council of the school has been given a representation on the council. The Minority has therefore announced that it will haul the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh before parliament’s Education Committee to explain the development. The government constituted the new council after it dissolved the previous one following a high-level meeting it held with all stakeholders in the Ashanti Region over the impasse between the University Authorities and students that led to a violent protest by the students. The Ranking Member for the Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency said the development smacks of disrespect for Prof. Obiri-Danso. “The minority’s view is that we are not happy with the development. In trying to resolve this matter, you have formed an interim council and you have left out the Vice Chancellor and on that interim council, you have a student leader. It is a sign of disrespect towards the Vice Chancellor. As the Ranking Member of Education, I will serve notice to the Chairman of the committee to invite the minister to appear before the committee to explain this action.” Vice Chancellors ordinarily are always made members of the council of the institutions they oversee as they manage the day-to-day affairs of the institution. Already, the exclusion of Prof. Obiri Danso is sparking speculations that it is a step by the government towards sacking or forcing the Vice Chancellor to step down. Some of the students who participated in last Monday’s violent protest that resulted in the loss of several properties including over 40 private cars belonging to lecturers, have called for the head of the Vice Chancellor, describing him as an autocrat and an oppressor. Members of the interim council The interim council which has been given a 3-month mandate will be chaired by the Paramount Chief of Bompata Traditional Area, Nana Effa Apenteng. The members of the council are: 1. Nana Effa Appenteng 2. Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson 3. Dr. Edward Baffoe-Bonnie 4. Madam Hilda Haggar Ampadu 5. Prof. Joshua Ayarkwa 6. Mrs. Abena Antwi 7. Mr. Kelvin Sah The mandate of the interim council are: 1. To assume the powers of the governing council 2. To establish the causes of the recent student riots on campus 3. To establish the full extent and cost of damage caused 4. To resolve the differences between university management and the student body They are also expected to expedite the reopening of the university which has been closed since Tuesday after a security advice by the Ashanti Regional Security Council.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-26T10:05:08+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10942/knust-unrest-blame-authorities-not-students-lawyer-george-wayohttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10942/knust-unrest-blame-authorities-not-students-lawyer-george-wayo Hours after the massive destruction of properties by some aggrieved students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Lawyer George Wayo has said that the students cannot be blamed. According to George Wayo, (Lawyer for the Unity Hall- KNUST), "the oppressors" (university authorities) had brought the destruction upon themselves. Speaking with Israel Laryea on JoyNews Prime Monday, Lawyer Wayo fumed that the authorities of KNUST led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Obiri Danso awfully failed to address concerns of the students in spite of series of agitations, petitions and dialogue meetings. Students of the university in a supposed peaceful demonstration on campus against what they described as needless abuse of some of their colleagues, ended up causing massive damage to properties on Monday morning. Over 20 private and public vehicles, slide doors, computers, furniture and Windows at the administration block among others were damaged by the rioting students under the very watch of the helpless police. He said that the revolt was because the students were being overstretched, intimidated and oppressed without any iota of respect for their opinions. Also, Lawyer Wayo vehemently said that the judiciary of this country ought to be held accountable for the unrest on KNUST campus for what he termed as "the wrong judicial interpretation" of an interlocutory application filed against the authorities of the university over the conversion of the halls. Meanwhile, with the exception of the foreign students, all students of the university have been asked to vacate the campus before 12 noon Tuesday October 23, 2018.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-23T14:24:55+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10940/kantaga-alumni-masterminded-violent-demonstration-knust-managementhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10940/kantaga-alumni-masterminded-violent-demonstration-knust-managementManagement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has categorically stated that alumni of the University Hall, popularly known as Katanga were behind Monday’s violent demonstration and vandalism in the school. On Monday, a protest by the students against the school’s authorities turned violent with over 20 students being arrested after they resorted to vandalizing public and private properties. The students staged the protest to register their displeasure over the arrest of their colleagues last week. Earlier, the Katanga alumni association blamed school authorities for the situation because they believed the conversion of the halls of residence was a catalyst. But addressing journalists, Andrews Kwasi Boateng, Registrar of the KNUST mentioned that the old students of the hall instigated the students to demonstrate as a way of expressing their disapproval to management decision. “Information available to KNUST some alumni of the University Hall have been the brain behind this orchestrated and executed vandalism as they came in several buses to participate in today’s activity”. Mr. Boateng, who condemned the incident said management has picked information that the destruction will worsen, hence the steps taken to avert any unforeseen circumstances. “The university strongly condemns in no uncertain terms acts of vandalism leading to the destruction of government and private properties and destroying facilities obtained with tax payer’s money”. “Intelligent reports state that the acts of vandalism will be sustained and escalate in the times ahead. It is only prudent that steps are taken to protect lives and properties”, he added. Items destroyed Mr. Boateng in what he termed as an unsolicited and unprovoked attacks, also presented an official breakdown of items destroyed as follows: 1. 30 vehicles belonging to staff of the university have been burnt. 2. The reception of the main administrative block, office of the dean of students, finance office and the offices of the university relations and security offices were demolished. 3. The official vehicle of the Dean of Student Affairs was destroyed. 4. 14 motor bikes of campus security officers have been vandalized. 5. Laptops, mobile phones, ladies’ handbag and the other items in offices which were broken into were ransacked. 6. Access and controlled gates were also destroyed. REGSEC orders closure of KNUST, imposes curfew after violent protest Students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology [KNUST], would have to vacate the school premises by midday on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. This follows an order by the Ashanti Regional Security Council REGSEC to the University, to close down indefinitely in the wake of the unrest. Citi News can also confirm that, the Council has imposed a 12-hour curfew on the campus from 6:00pm to 6:00am, which takes effect today, Monday. The plan to close down the school was taken in consultation with the management of the university. The decision, which was announced by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, excludes foreign students who will be given full security protection. “The decision that has been taken by REGSEC is that, today [Monday] from 6:00pm to 6:00am, we have imposed a curfew on campus. So, no one is going out from 6:00pm. All students should be in their hall of residence.” “After that, between 6:00am and 12:00noon tomorrow [Tuesday], every student must vacate the school premises including student leaders. The only people who will be permitted to stay are foreign students. We are going to provide security for such students. We will meet [relevant stakeholders] tomorrow [Tuesday] to agree on a tentative date that the school will be reopened”, Mr. Mensah added. Enough is enough demonstration The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) led the demonstration following the arrest of 10 students and one alumnus of the school on Friday. The Executive Council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to end the management’s neglect of students in decision making. The students were arrested for a holding vigil on campus on Friday without permission according to the school authorities. One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security is currently on admission at the KNUST hospital. The KNUST management however justified the arrests, after the students were released on Saturday.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-23T11:50:26+00:00https://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10938/vc-must-be-blamed-for-everything-knust-alumni-lawyerhttps://www.watchghana.com/en/details/10938/vc-must-be-blamed-for-everything-knust-alumni-lawyerA lawyer and an alumni of the University Hall, KNUST, who led the suit against the conversion of the hall into a mixed-sex hall, Stephen Asante Bekoe, is blaming the recent violent protests at the University on what he describes as a systematic failure from the school’s authorities. According to him, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Obiri Danso should be blamed for the violent protests that occurred in the school on Monday. Speaking on Citi TV’s major news bulletin, Citi Newsroom, Mr. Asante Bekoe said the protests were not only as a result of the brutalizing of students by the School’s security but also due to other unfavorable decisions taken by the school’s management including the Vice-Chancellor. “I blame the Vice-Chancellor, for everything happening now and I must be honest,” he said. He also refuted claims that the students were triggered by the conversion of the single-sex halls into mixed halls. “I saw females as part of the demonstration. So clearly it has got nothing to do with the hall conversion.” He also explained that the demonstrations were peaceful until the Vice-Chancellor sent in Police and Military men to disrupt the protests. “It’s becoming too oppressive and suppressive. They started peacefully, all of a sudden buses and armor cars and whatever with policemen and this time soldiers came in. They started firing shots… Both males and females were all involved, but the numbers had blocked the entrance, that was it. They had not touched any property at the time. It was when the policemen and soldiers came in at the instance of the vice-chancellor and they started firing and the students said we will throw our lives on board,” he said. Meanwhile, due to the development, students, except foreign nationals of the school have been asked to vacate the school premises by midday on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. The school will be closed down indefinitely in the wake of the unrest. Citi News can also confirm that the Council has imposed a 12-hour curfew on the campus from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, which took effect on Monday. Background The arrest of 10 students and one alumnus of the school compelled the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) to mobilize for the Monday protest. The students were arrested for a holding vigil on campus last Friday without permission, according to the school authorities. One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security was hospitalized at the KNUST hospital. The Executive Council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to convey students’ frustration over disrespect and oppression by the school. The arrests came after the KNUST management served notice that it had suspended the organization of vigils (morales) in the school. The management said this was because of “several negative issues encountered recently concerning morales in the hall.” Some of the protestors called for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor. The SRC said the actions of the campus security and the police officers were a “gross deviation” because the two agencies were instead to protect them. The Council also promised students that it would ensure the security officers who allegedly beat up students are held accountable while urging students to remain calm. Over twenty students have been arrested following the incident.

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]]>Miscellaneous2018-10-23T11:24:17+00:00