SHAMA DISTRICT: Covid-19 vacation was unbearable – Students hinted

According to Junior High School students that recently resumed back to school in the Shama District of the western region, the long novel coronavirus vacation was unbearable as majority couldn’t study effectively due to household duties.

Meanwhile we are glad and happy that the president of the republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has in consultation with the Ghana Education Service have paved way for them to continue their academic year, they said.

The statement by the Junior High “2” students made to the Vision1 Fm western regional correspondent Benjamin Bray when the Parliamentary candidate for Shama constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, Hon. Samuel Erickson Abakah visited the Junior High Schools after the long vacation break during the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Interacting with the students, the legislature, Hon. Abakah urged Junior High School students in the Shama District to study hard to have access and enjoy the Free Senior High School Programme which was effectively implemented by the ruling New Patriotic Party administration.

Again Hon. Abakah told students at the various Junior and Senior High Schools in the Shama District strictly observe the safety precautions on the novel coronavirus including wearing of nose masks, social distancing and regular hand washing as the government led by H. E. Nana Addo Dankwah and his able leadership are putting measures in place as the pandemic still in existence.

In response to Hon. Samuel Erickson Abakah’s statement on Free Senior High School Programme, the students indicated that, they are ever ready to continue their lessons that they were unable to complete when the global pandemic that hit country Ghana.

Moreover the students added that they will study hard and concentrate on their studies at all times so that after successful Basic Education Certificate Examination that will commence next academic year, they can enjoy the Free Senior High School Programme by the New Patriotic Party.

Meanwhile the students speaking to Vision1 Fm western regional correspondent, Benjamin Bray, pledged to adhere to the advise from Hon. Samuel Erickson Abakah to observe the COVID-19 safety precautions and also teachers instructions as they have resumed to continue their studies.

The lawyer and former teacher who is seeking the Shama constituents mandate to become the Member of Parliament is hopeful to retain the Shama constituency seat for the New Patriotic Party.

Filed By: Benjamin Bray – Vision1 FM / Globe TV

W/R: Shama District – Study hard to enjoy Free Senior High School programme – NPP PC to JHS students

The New Patriotic Party 2020 parliamentary candidate for the upcoming December 7th polls in the Shama constituency, Hon. Samuel Erickson Abakah has urged Junior High School students in the Shama District to study hard to have access and enjoy the Free Senior High School Programme which was effectively implemented by the ruling New Patriotic Party administration.

Hon. Erickson Abakah made this known to the students when he officially welcomed Junior High School Form “2” students back to school some days ago, after the president of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 17th State of the Nation addressed update on Ghana’s Enhanced Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, On Sunday, 20th September 2020, lifted the ban and directed both the Junior and Senior High School Form “2” students to resume back to school.

He visited basic Junior High Schools in the Shama District and also Shama Senior High School where the legislature and former teacher distributed branded nose masks to students.

The announcement for both Junior and Senior High School Form “2” students to return back to school was declared by the president of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 17th State of the Nation addressed update on Ghana’s Enhanced Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, On Sunday, 20th September 2020.

The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary candidate again said that, parents of these students are making an effort for their wards education whiles the government of Ghana has put in greater part of the burden on its shoulders to allow the Junior and Senior High Form “2” students back to school.

Hon. Erickson Abakah urged the students at the various Junior and Senior High Schools in the Shama District to strictly observe the safety precautions on the novel coronavirus including wearing of nose masks, social distancing and regular hand washing as the government led by H. E. Nana Addo Dankwah and his able leadership are putting measures in place as the pandemic still in existence.

Moreover the students hinted that they will study hard and concentrate on their studies at all times so that after successful Basic Education Certificate Examination that will commence next academic year so that they together enjoy the Free Senior High School Programme by the New Patriotic Party.

Speaking to Vision1 Fm western regional correspondent, Benjamin Bray, pledged to observe the COVID-19 safety precautions and also obey their teachers as they have resumed to continue their studies.

Filed By: Benjamin Bray – Vision1 FM / Globe TV

President Akufo-Addo inspects construction work on new Abomosu model SHS

The Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has assured the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that the Abomoso Model Senior High School, which is one of the nine new model schools being constructed by Government, will be completed by the end of the year.

According to Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the establishment of these new senior high schools comprises the construction of seven (7) new Senior High Schools and the upgrading of two (2) existing schools into model schools, making a total of nine (9) schools.

The Education Minister made this known on Thursday, 1st October 2020, when President Akufo-Addo visited the site of the construction of the Abomoso Model Senior High School located in the Atiwa West constituency of the Eastern Region.

The seven new schools are located at Kwadaso, Dabaa, Awaso, Abomosu, Akrodie, Weija and Kpasenkpe. Seven (7) out of the nine (9) schools are proposed science focused schools, with the other two being the first ever Creative Arts School, Kwadaso, in Kumasi, and a Senior High Technical School at Dabaa, named after former President J. A. Kufour.

It will be recalled that contracts for the construction of these schools were awarded in October 2019, and the sites were handed over to the contractors by the consultants a month later.

The Abomoso Model Senior High School is fitted with the full complement of amenities such as playing fields, administrative buildings, libraries, and dormitories. Additionally, the V-Block in the school has a total of 24 classrooms, as opposed to 12 classrooms in the E-Blocks constructed by the former administration.

Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh told the President that plans are in the pipeline for the construction of thirty-five (35) more of such model schools around the country.

Creative Arts School
The first ever Creative Arts School in Ghana, located at Kwadaso, shall equip students for the Arts, through powerful learning experiences, embrace and excel in the arts and academics, whilst working towards their visions of the future.

The Project has been designed to include the following 2-storey administration block; library block; auditorium / theatre (1,300 designed capacity); 4-storey 16-unit creative arts block with ancillary facilities; 4-storey 20-unit classroom block with 4 dedicated laboratory rooms; 3-storey dormitory block; 2-storey dormitory block; dining hall with kitchen; principal’s residence; 2 vice principals’ residence, 2 no. staff flats; sports area; maintenance shed; waste treatment/holding bay; access roads and paved walkways; and gate house.

Senior High & Technical School
This School, in honour of the former president of Ghana, J. A. Kufour, shall equip students for the Arts, Science and Technical disciplines through interactive experiences using state of the art methods.

The School shall strive to educate students through theoretical and practical training in technical disciplines, creative production and processes for technical education, and to provide a backbone for the industry under the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.

To create an environment that supports the implementation of a rich, rigorous technical curriculum and encourage a culture of technical and entrepreneurial thinking, learning, creative production and achievement of excellence.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

First Lady Appointed Principal TVET Ambassador

The First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has said, Ghana must take conscious steps to make the nation a centre of excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in West Africa and a competitive global player within the TVET ecosystem to make Technical and Vocational Education and training, the preferred choice for the youth in Ghana.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the comments when she was appointed Principal TVET Ambassador and met with other Ambassadors for the MyTVET campaign, launched by the Ministry of Education and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), to promote wide-spread preference for TVET among the youth.

The objective of the campaign is to change negative perceptions about TVET and to increase enrolment in Technical and Vocational Institutions in Ghana, inspire world-class excellence in skills development and to introduce the youth to a variety of skilled careers.
The campaign will target the youth, specifically, those in Junior High Schools and the basic level as well as parents, guardians and other stakeholders who shape the decisions of the youth.

In accepting the Ambassadorship, the First Lady said the MyTVET campaign has come at the right time, when government is embarking on a drive to industrialize Ghana through the one-district-one-factory initiative, adding “there are immense benefits the country can gain from promoting TVET and as such we must all be committed towards improving TVET in Ghana”.

The First Lady will be supported by other Ambassadors including, media personality, broadcast journalist and public speaker, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur Kwame Nsiah-Apau popularly known as Okyeame Kwame , Belinda Addardey popularly known as Bella Mundi, a Ghanaian media personality, women’s advocate and voice artist, Martha Ankoma Ghanaian film actress, entrepreneur and brand Ambassador, Founder and CEO of Makeup Ghana Rebecca Donkor, and Daniel McKorley a Ghanaian business magnate and founder and chief executive officer of McDan Group of Companies.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

First Lady cuts sod for Two Libraries in Amasaman and Bortiano

The First lady of the Republic, Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has cut sod for the construction of two Libraries in Amasaman and Bortiano in the Ga West and Ga South Municipalities in the Greater Accra Region.

When completed by November this year, the two forty-seater libraries funded by the Rebecca Foundation, will be fitted with computers and stocked with books and other reading materials to provide the youth a conducive environment to learn.

In a brief speech Mrs. Akufo-Addo said any nation that wants to truly develop and become a global player must invest in the education of its people and that is why the NPP government led by her husband, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has invested so much in the education of the youth with the ultimate objective of creating an equal opportunity for the nation’s future leaders to harness their full potential.

She said since the inception of free SHS by the Akufo-Addo led NPP government, enrolment to SHS has increased with Government absorbing feeding fees, uniforms, books and even WASSCE examination fees, adding that recently government absorbed fees for BECE and is providing one hot meal to all BECE students.

All these, the First Lady said are indicative of the determination of a visionary leader like President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government who firmly believe that every child must be given an equal opportunity to succeed in life.

She said since 2017, the Rebecca Foundation has implemented a number of programmes to complement government’s efforts at developing the country’s human capital, but with special emphasis on women and children.

To this end, Mrs. Akufo-Addo said, The Rebecca Foundation has implemented programmes like “Because I want to be” which supports girls to stay in school and provide skills training and financial support to those who drop out and are unable to go back to school, and the “Learning to Read, Reading to learn” initiative, which provides libraries to schools and encourages children to read, through a television reading programme telecast on some TV stations.

The First Lady disclosed that so far, The Rebecca Foundation has put up four libraries in Daffiama Bussei Issa in the Upper West Region, Wenchi in the Bono Region, Sefwi Debiso in the Western North Region and Moree in the Central region with two more libraries under construction in Krachi in the Oti Region, and Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.

The First Lady expressed optimism that the libraries when completed will allow children to acquire knowledge through reading, and gain the confidence to succeed in life and urged community leaders and elders to encourage their children to make full use of them.
Present to witness both sod-cutting ceremonies were the MCE for Ga West Hon. Clement Wilkinson, MCE for Ga South, Hon. Joseph Nyarni, the NPP Parliamentary candidate for Amasaman Kwasi Afrifa Mensah, CEO of National Youth Authority and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bortianor/Ngleshie Amanfro Mr. Sylvester Tetteh, Director General of Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Hayford Siaw, as well as traditional leaders and residents of the Amasaman and Bortiano communities.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

Reading will enhance quality education – First Lady

The First Lady of the Republic, H.E. Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has identified reading as the sure panacea to enhancing the quality of education and deepening the intellect of the youth.
According to her, a people with high literacy skills are better positioned to expedite the development of a country and meet its challenges, stating, “a literate population and communities are in a far better position to develop and innovate than less literate societies”.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo who is also the Executive director of the Rebecca Foundation, made these comments when she commissioned a forty seater computerized library facility in Moree in the Central region.

The library, stocked with modern computers and books on different subjects is expected to serve as an attractive and welcoming environment for the youth to develop the habit and delight in reading.

Harping on the importance of reading and its many benefits Mrs. Akufo-Addo said in a growing competitive world where life-long learning has become the only way to grow intellectually and build a wealth of knowledge, many children in sub-Saharan Africa struggle at the lower primary level to read in the official or any local language and in instances where they can read, they are unable to understand what they read.

She said a vast amount of information in the world, is spread through written works and considering the impact of newspapers, books, and the internet on our daily lives anyone with limited literacy skills is virtually excluded from written information that can change their lives.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo stated that it is this plethora of benefits inherent in the ability and habit of reading that informed the Rebecca Foundation to come up with the “Learning to Read, Reading to Learn” initiative, a two part concept made up of a television reading programme, now in its second season, and provision of much needed libraries in some school clusters across the country.

She said the Rebecca Foundation has so far built three of such computerized libraries in the Dafiama Bissue Issah in the Upper west Region,Sefwi Debiso in the awe stern North Region ,Wenchi in the Bono Region and will soon construct three more libraries at Kumawu in the Ashanti region,Krachi East in the Oti Region and Achimota school in the Greater Accra Region

The First Lady charged the youth to strive to read as many books as possible stating, when I launched the Learning to Read, Reading to Learn initiative, I charged our children to read a book each day. I repeat this charge today. Read, learn new words, learn new things and consider writing your own little stories”.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo also urged the Ministry of Education, to incorporate library services as a critical component of the educational reforms for Basic schools as research has shown the significant role of school libraries in building a reading culture.

On behalf of The Rebecca Foundation, the First Lady extended her profound gratitude to the Ghana Library Authority, Ghana Book Development Council, Metropolitan and District Assemblies, the Ghana Education Service and donors for assisting the Foundation in its literacy enhancing endeavors.

Central Regional Minister, Hon Kwamina Duncan also urged residents of Saltpong, Mfantsiman Municipality and the entire region as a whole to rally behind Nana Addo as he is poised in making health care accessible for every Ghanaian.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

Sandwich students petitions UCC over Second Semester arrangements

Concerned Sandwich Students from the various study centers across the country has petitioned the Institute of Education, University of Cape Coast, through the leadership of the Students Representative Council, to reconsider the decision to callback the students to campus in August.

The concerned students, after chancing on a letter from the Institution communicating to the B.Ed/ Post Diploma students to report on the 21st August, 2020 to end the Second Semester, has petitioned the institution that, the arrangements will create a lot of inconveniences for them.

In the petition, the student body submits that, it beats imaginations for the institution to call them back to campus at this crucial moment when most of them are teaching/ preparing the Junior High School students for their Basic Education Certificate Examination.

“We are not sure the University of Cape Coast, the institution that we’ve all been proud of, is interested in rather disadvantaging it students, and creating discomfort between them and the various Education Directorates across the country. It will interest the Management of the Institution to know that, most students (teachers) go through serious challenges with Directors of Education before granted the permission to pursue some of these courses (Sandwich/ Distance). After the permission is granted, teachers are given strict orders that the course must not in any day conflict with their work. Hence, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to seek permission to be out of school to pursue a course, and to be granted same, especially at this critical time” – part of the petition reads.

The concerned sandwich students are appealing to the Institute of Education of the University of Cape Coast to consider the plight of the many and reconsider the communicated arrangements. The students, through a Google docs view collection suggest they will be happy if they are called back after BECE, or better still assess them on the online portal as the institution did for the lecturing.

UCC Sandwich Students Petitions Prez Akufo-Addo to intervene for second semester arrangements to be rescinded

PETITION FOR SECOND SEMESTER ARRANGEMENTS TO BE RESCINDED

Good morning Mr President.

I hope my submission finds you in your soundest health, as well as your other colleague presidents across the various study centers in the country.

Our Wednesday got moody when we chanced on a letter dated 11th August, 2020 with Reference IOE/OU/87/V.3/156 which seeks to communicate the arrangements regarding the End of Second Semester for B.Ed/ Post – Diploma Sandwich Students.

First of all, it is baffling what prompted this arrangement, following the fact that, teachers in the Junior High Schools who are specially assigned to prepare the final year students for their Basic Education Certificate Examination – 2020 are still in school.

I’m not sure the University of Cape Coast, the institution that we’ve all been proud of, is interested in rather disadvantaging it students, and create discomfort between them and the various Education Directorates across the country. It will interest the Management of the Institution to know that, most Directors of Education already have sheer hatred for teachers pursuing some of these courses (Sandwich/ Distance); a topic for another day. Hence, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to seek permission to be out of school to pursue a course, and to be granted same. Since the letter came, some of us have already sought the mind of our headteachers and it has been a vehemently “NO WAY” for such permission.

Already, a lot of the students are having grave challenges with the online learning. Some are totally unaware of same. It will therefore be inappropriate and unfair for the students to be slapped with another disturbing arrangements.

I therefore petition the Coalition of SRC Presidents to vehemently oppose this arrangement that will bring discomfort to a large section of the student population, as evident on the various SRC platforms.

To the best of my interest and the many colleagues alike, let’s hold on with the current arrangements and call the students to campus after the BECE.

I will await acknowledgement of my petition and update on same.

Thank you.

Derrick Fio
(Petitioner)

cc:
Course Reps

SUPPORTING PETITIONERS

Jonathan Sam
David Adu Karikari
Kettey Savior
Isaac Antwi-Boasiako
Anesi Iddrisu
Oteng Samuel kwasi
Philip Kusi Manu
Basiru Ahmed
Christian Owusu
Oppong Ernest
Wisdom Kodzo Asumah
Osman Umar
Raymond Afful-Prempeh Jnr.
Adongo Jacob D.

NCCE condemns rampage in some Senior High Schools

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) condemns unreservedly reports of students going on rampage in some Senior High Schools (SHS) over the enforcement of strict invigilation rules during the ongoing 2020 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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The incidents at Tweneboa Kodua S.H.S., Kumawu; Adawomase S.H.S., Juaben S.H.S., Bright S.H.S., Akyem Kukurantumi; Sekondi College and Ndewura Jakpa Senior High/ Technical School in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Savannah Regions respectively, where students destroyed furniture, smashed bowls containing evening meals in the dining hall, attacking invigilators, journalists, demonstrated and issued threats to school authorities for being firm on invigilation during exams is unacceptable, objectionable and intolerable.

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In preparing for examination, past questions, Chief Examiners’ Report and syllabi are resources to guide candidates. In fact, it is indefensible to argue that the promise and provision of past questions is enough grounds to demonstrate and destroy school properties. The Commission maintains that in a democratic dispensation, violence is not an option to resolving or settling scores.

We also condemn the foul language and reckless behaviour of students displayed on social media. Freedom of speech does not give any individual the right to use abusive language particularly to the personality of the President of the Republic. In this vein, we call all Ghanaians who have the opportunity to speak in the media and public space to be decorous in their utterances and submissions.

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As we approach the 2020 General Election, NCCE urges Ghanaians and political parties to be moderate in language as they go about their political activities. The Commission holds the view that the stakes in the upcoming elections are very high. Consequently, we need a disciplined and measured political climate to undertake a healthy political party campaign that engenders issues-based engagements whilst preserving the sanctity of our democracy. We call on political parties not to prey on these misguided youth but to join in our collective condemnation of this distasteful act.

NCCE is aware of the Ghana Government’s effort to provide equal educational opportunities to all citizens in the country, as enshrined in Articles 25 (1) and 38 (1) of the 1992 Constitution. The Commission takes serious exception to the reaction of the students who want a relaxation of examination invigilation rules so that they can collude with each other in the examination hall.

We are equally worried about a related incident where some WASSCE question papers were leaked. These incidents threaten the sustenance of the democratic values of accountability, responsibility, discipline, integrity and honesty, which are gradually being watered down.
The Commission reiterates the fact that we cannot build a prosperous society with negative values of dishonesty and indiscipline. The NCCE therefore appeals to all stakeholders in education, including parents and the government to join hands with NCCE to nurture our students, our future leaders to offer the required leadership to consolidate the gains made in our democratic journey.
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana and Make Our Nation Great and Strong!

Joyce Afutu (Mrs.)
(Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs)

Prez Akufo-Addo commissions University of Environment and Sustainable Development

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commissioned the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, in Somanya, in the Eastern Region, and cut the sod for the commencement of construction of Phase Two of the University.

At the ceremony, on Wednesday, 5th August 2020, at Somanya, President Akufo-Addo stated that the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), funded through the Italian Export Credit Agency, SACE, and the German bank, Deutsche Bank, is yet another example of the nation’s commitment to providing quality education and skills training for the Ghanaian people.

“Indeed, this is the first university in the country with the mandate to provide higher education, research and disseminate knowledge on matters of sustainable development, the protection of the environment, and a focus on developing agri-business,” he added.

He continued, “At a time when the world’s attention is focused on the attainment of the seventeen (17) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, for which I currently serve as co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates, the establishment of UESD could not have come at a more opportune moment in our nation’s history”.

With the country confronted with issues of deforestation, coastal and marine resource degradation, destruction of our biodiversity, climate change, pollution, sanitation, and the phenomenon of illegal mining, the President was hopeful that UESD “will provide strategic leadership on environmental and sustainability issues, and grow quickly to become a centre of excellence in teaching and research in this very important niche area, not only in the country, but also on the continent and beyond”.

Execution of Phase One cost the nation forty-five million, five hundred and seventy-five thousand euros (€45,575,000.00), with the following facilities commissioned: lecture Hall for School of Natural and Environmental Science; multi-purpose auditorium for School of Natural and Environmental Science; laboratory building for School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship Development; faculty offices (administration block) for School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship Development; Vice Chancellor’s residency; Pro-Vice Chancellors’ residency; and key officers’ residencies

Furthermore, the President indicated that GETFund has released money, through the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), for the payment of compensation to the original land owners, adding that “I have been assured that the outstanding amounts will be settled within the next two weeks”.

Following the completion of this process, President Akufo-Addo noted that the stage is now set for the rollout of Phase Two of the University, which will involve the provision of the following facilities: lecture halls; main library; laboratory; football pitch; handball/basketball court; badminton court; tennis court; and a tartan track.

“The contract for Phase Two was signed on 6th May, 2020. It is a turnkey contract agreement with M/S Contracta, valued at forty-nine million, eight hundred and ninety-one thousand, ninety-eight euros (€49,891,098.00), to be completed within thirty (30) months of signature of the agreement,” he stressed.

The President was also pleased to announce that Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has granted financial clearance to the University to recruit an initial three hundred (300) staff to enable its smooth take-off.

“The Interim Council is, moreover, expected to begin recruitment of its first batch of undergraduate students for the 2020/2021 academic year. I assure you that Government will continue to do all it can to help this University discharge its mandate, and grow to become a centre of excellence,” he said.

Indeed, the Ministry of Education, acting through the National Council for Tertiary Education, is currently in the process of providing vital logistical support to this University, because of Government’s commitment to provide seed money to allow the University meet some of its most urgent operational needs.

Whilst thanking the contractor for this project, Messrs Contracta Costruzioni, for their commitment to the assignment, the President was confident that the next phase of the project will be carried out on time and on budget, so the University can have the full complement of facilities to help it maximise its potential to deliver quality teaching and learning, as well as cutting-edge research.

“Enhancing our nation’s human resource is key to the development and transformation of our nation. An education that will produce dedicated, determined and disciplined graduates, who will be eager and willing to participate in developing our beloved Ghana, and to become her patriotic future citizens, remains our objective,” he added.

Edmund Kyei wishes 2020 WASSCE students good luck

This is to wish all students writing this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), especially those from Asokwa Constituency, the very best of luck.

It is my fervent prayer that all the candidates would pass the exams.

I am also using this opportunity to remind our students that, you are the 1st products of free SHS, therefore the onus is on you to pass the exams and prove the critics of the free SHS wrong.

Stay Blessed!!!
Thank You

…Mr Edmund Kyei…
1st Vice Chairman Asokwa – NPP
National Communication Team Member – NPP

Mpaninfo 2000 donates PPEs to alma mater to fight Covid-19

Past students of Ofori Panin Senior High school in Kukurantumi in the Eastern region have donated items to their former school to fight the global pandemic, Covid 19. The items presented include hand sanitizers, nose masks, face shield, liguid soaps, Veronica buckets, tissue papers, dispensors and other learning materials.

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Presenting the items on behalf of the group, The president, Mr. Appiah Yaw Lartey admonished the school authorities to use the items for the intended purpose and advised teachers and students to adhere to the protocols set out by the Ghana Health Service in the fight against Covid19.

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He said the year’s group is committed to the school and have over the years undertook projects to help the school. This includes the renovation of the school pantry, supplied fans to each classroom among others.

Mpaninfo 2000 year group presenting the items to the school

Receiving the items on behalf the Board Chairman and the headmaster of the school, The Assistant headmaster in charge of Academics Mr. Armstrong Appiah expressed his gratitude for the gesture done and called on other year groups to emulate the exploits of the 2000 year group.

The Rebecca Foundation constructs libraries for four communities

The Rebecca Foundation has handed over two libraries to the people of Daffiama Bussei Issah District in the Upper West Region and Wenchi in the Bono Region.

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The Libraries are part of four libraries constructed by the Rebecca Foundation in parts of the country to inculcate the habit of reading in school children as a means of improving on their learning skills.

In a statement read on her behalf, Executive Director of The Rebecca Foundation and First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo acknowledged the contribution of the current NPP administration in prioritising education with various policies such as free SHS and reinstituting allowances for teacher trainees to improve upon the ability of our young Ghanaians to effectively propel national development.

She however, bemoaned the ability of many children to read and write as a result of factors including limited access to reading materials, which she said adversely affects the child’s ability to learn stating, “Literacy is the means by which lifelong learning and a child’s ability to learn to the highest levels is made possible”.

The First Lady thanked development partners of The Rebecca Foundation including the Ministry of Education, Ghana Library Authority, Book Aid International, the District and the Municipal Assemblies, where the libraries are sited for their support in executing the four projects.

She also announced the completion of two more libraries in other parts of the country to be commissioned soon.

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Chief Executive of Ghana Library Authority, Mr Hayford Siaw, expressed gratitude to H.E. the First Lady in helping the agency meet one critical objective in its ‘2020 Year of Learning’ which is to increase the network of libraries in the country, stating that since 2017, government through GhLA has increased library network from sixty-one to seventy-four and now seventy-eight with the new libraries by the Rebecca Foundation.

Present to grace the commissioning were MCEs, Officials of GES, Ghana Library Authority and Chiefs.

It will be recalled that in 2018, the Rebecca Foundation launched the “Learning to Read and Reading to Learn” initiative to help improve literacy levels among Ghanaian children. The initiative involves a reading television show for children shown nationwide on GTV Saturdays at 12pm and repeated on Wednesdays at 5pm, the Ghana Learning TV, Net2, and GN Junior TV, as well as construction of libraries in school clusters that lack access to library facilities.

Story: Sheila Satori Mensa

“Restructure Academic Calendar” – Teacher tells GES

Mr David Adu Karikari, a teacher at Nana Baadu D/A JHS in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District has suggested that, G.E.S takes a critical look at the academic calendar for schools across the country.

The suggestion came after schools have been closed down across the country due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Karikari is of the view that, the final year students should be made to write their examinations (BECE and WASSCE) whiles a mass promotion be done for all continuing students.

“Looking at the rate at which the virus is spreading, I suggest the final year students be made to write their examination under strict order and observation of social distancing. For the continuing students, a mass promotion would not be bad,” he said.

The teacher further suggested that, the Ministry of Education together with the Ghana Education Service should use the rest of the months within the year to plan a new academic calendar.

“Moving on, I would suggest that, both GES and MoE should consider forgoing the rest of the 2019/2020 academic year. They should rather plan on reopening schools in January so that a year would be considered an academic year and not what is being practiced currently,” he added.

Below is his suggested academic calendar.

First Term – January to March

Second Term – May to July

Third Term – September to November.

A critical look at the suggested calendar for a new academic reveals that, prior to the 83 to 85 days of vacation in the previous academic calendar, if implemented, the new one would have a 90 days of vacation.

This suggestion came up as the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders in the education sector are working hard to put measures in place should schools be reopened.

David Adu Karikari
Contacts: 0249444994/0203419828
email: davidadukarikari90@gmail.com

LEAKED Documents: Applicant Exposes GETfund in ‎€12,000 Scholarship Fraud in March 2016

New revelations surrounding the GETFund scholarship suggests that, a chunk of the persons listed as beneficiaries of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) did not actually receive financial donations.

One of the individuals whose name was captured on the tall list of beneficiaries contained in the audit report is Ms Anifa Musah.

According to Ms Anifa Musah who lives in the Tamale, she applied for scholarship from GETFund but was did not receive the needed assistance yet her name was stipulated one of the persons who received the money.

She narrated; “I had admission to study MSc in Urban Management and Development at Erasmus University, Rotterdam late 2015. I however applied to the GETFUND for a sponsorship in 2016 since the admission was fee paying.

On 14th of March, I submitted my application required documents to the secretariat and received a confirmation letter on 16th March, 2016.

A copy of the sponsorship letter was sent to the school to confirm the payment from the government. Given them the assurance that I will attend class when academic from October 3rd until September 22nd, 2017.

Some few weeks later, I received another letter from the Institute, indicated that payments of fees would not be accepted after 15th July, 2016 since the competition was keen. I immediately wrote to them reminding them about the payments but still to the deaf ears. I waited patiently but still to no avail…

And I finally gave up on them to focus on other things. Meanwhile, the very period that I applied for the sponsorship the money was already in their accounts. It surprised me to see my name being mentioned in the report of Auditor General”

A worried student added ‘I am not afraid of anything because my conscience is clear and it is my hope that those responsible would be brought to book”

See the documents below:

Former organiser cautions adikanfo 2004 against leadership illegality

NOTICE OF ILLEGALITY IN LEADERSHIP OF ADIKANFO 2004 YEAR GROUP

On or about 6th day of January in the year 2014 at Golden Pod at Akwapim Akropong, Adikanfo 2004 (herein after referred to as the GROUP) held its annual general meeting. At the said meeting, the following persons were nominated as executives (INTERIM) to inter alia execute the following mandate: Lead the group for Two (2) calendar years in an interim status.

Communicate a clear roadmap for a valid general election to elect substantive executives. This was to take place within the Two (2) year mandate. Alex Apau Chairman, Jonathan Appiah Asst. Secretary, Winifred Appiah Secretary, Clark Hayford P.R.O, Daniel Obeng Organiser, Samuel Ayim Treasurer, Gariba Samuel financial Secretary

Per the above communicated period of holding office (Supra), the mandate of the interim officers ended on 5th day of January in the year 2016 and all mandates was to seize forthwith.
However, as of today 27th day of the year 2019, the interim executives are still in office, this makes all their activities and decisions concerning the group null and void ab initio and a complete illegality from 6th January 2016.

In the event that the interim executives and the group has their eyes lost on the mandate and tenure given at the said meeting, may this be deemed a reminder that the group currently has no leadership.
This notice is to again bring all and sundry to speed that the communique issued for a general meeting scheduled for 7th January 2019 is illegal and lack the spirit incorporated in the tenets of the group since the group currently has NO executives, being it interim or substantive.

Article 8(1)(i) of the groups constitution clearly states; The Chairman shall convene all meetings and the executive committee. The group presently has no person occupying the said position of Chairmanship to convene a general meeting so is all other positions stipulated in Article 8 (Management) of the group’s Constitution.

As such, all preparations and communications directed towards the said meeting and all related activities should seize forthwith until all such illegalities are addressed and regularised.

May it be known to all herein notified that any steps, acts, deliberations, discussions, organizations and all related dealings to convey the illegally proposed meeting and any other activity will amount to abetment of an illegal act and will trigger a Court action.

Urgent steps should be taken to conduct a general elections supervised by an electoral committee constituted by members of the group before any deliberation on the welfare is effected
Be guided accordingly.

Signed:
Daniel Obeng Acquah
(former,Organiser)

PUSAG advocates for a total reform in Ghana’s legal education

Private Universities Students Association of Ghana wishes to add its voice to the recent back and forth between Law Students and the General Legal Council. We have become aware of the fact that, both, in their quest to be heard have all been invited by the Constitutional And Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament.

Few weeks ago, former Director of Ghana School of Law, Mr Ansa Asare pressed on students of Ghana to rise up against the conduct of the General Legal Council which seeks to kill their vibes and bury the aspiration of those who are interested in joining the legal profession. It is against this backdrop that, we, as the mother students body of Private Universities in Ghana are using this opportune time to call on National Union of Ghana Students (NUGs), Ghana Union of Professional Students(GUPS), University Students Association of Ghana (USAG), and other student unions and interested stakeholders to come out and rally support behind our the Law Students.

Before we tackle the substance of this whole brouhaha, we would like to make it clear that, “when a witch cries in the night and the next morning a child is dead, the fetish priest in that vicinity must be spared of any allegation connected to the death of that child”. This proverbial expression undercores the fact that, from the very first day the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana vehemently spoke against the mass production of lawyers in Ghana and threatened that, in so far as she has anything to do with our legal education, mass production of lawyers won’t happen, a child was going to die. It is also not in doubt that, few weeks after her statement, results of the recent exams to the Ghana school of law shocked the whole country.

The idea behind the entrance exams was exposed when Professor S.K Asare challened the GLC at the supreme court. The fundamental idea behind this entrance exams as part of the admission process is to limit the number of intake at the Ghana School of Law because of lack of capacity and not an issue of quality.

The very submission of the Attorney General who was joint to the case as a nominal defendant also spoke about the unconstitutional limitation of access to professional legal education.

According to the court, that assertion is a clear admission that over the years as the Council approved institutions other than UG to admit persons to pursue courses of instruction leading to the award of degrees in law as a requirement of the two stage systems of legal education that it had put in place, not much attention appeared to be given to the rise in the number of persons likely to be turned out in relation to classroom spaces in the School contrary to the clear statutory provision in section 13 of Act 32 when read in the light of regulation 2 of LI 1296.

The situation which according to defendants compelled the Council to introduce the new requirements could in all sincerity have been avoided if the Council had given careful thought and consideration to the likely impact of the huge numbers of law graduates on the facilities available in the School.

We have also become aware of the frustration at the Ghana School of Law pertaining to a worrying situation where a trail in one paper pushes the person back to write all the papers he passed again together with the trailed paper as a fresh start. It is highly unacceptable in any professional environment. Even in ICA or other professional exams, a single trail affords the person the opportunity to rewrite the said paper and not the ones he has obtained credible passes.

We are by this release throwing our support to the law students to demand a total overhaul of our legal education. The barriers to entry must also be set aside.

Again, we are by this proposing that, other qualified law faculties with the needed infrastructure must be properly regulated by the GLC and be allowed to run both the professional law course as well as the LLB courses to ease pressure on the limited facilities at the Ghana School of law.

The very LI that fortifies the entrance exams must be repealed to expand access to the Ghana school of law.

Alswel Annan
National PUSAG President/CEO
0541231773
annanalswel@gmail.com

Diabate Youssouf
Media Relations Officer
0547447855
Youssoufdiab8@gmail.com