Day: April 2, 2024

The Ghana Education Service (GES) says Form Three students enrolled in the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme are exempt from paying registration fees for West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

It said the GHS465 registration fee had been absorbed by the Government in the Free SHS programme.

Dr Eric Nkansah, Director General of GES, said this during a press conference in Accra on the WASSCE registration process for SHS Final Year students.

He urged parents not to pay any money in the name of WASSCE registration for their wards participating in the programme.

Form Three SHS students will begin registration after they return from break on April 17, 2024.

Dr Nkansah commended the three pre-tertiary Teacher Unions – Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana –  for calling off their two-week old strike.

He said that the Service would continue to engage them in their demands to ensu
re they get well-deserved working conditions and incentives and benefits to enhance their work.

However, the teacher unions decided to call off their strike after the National Labour Commission (NLC) got an interim injunction to prevent their industrial action.

They would continue to engage the government on their demands while they return to the classroom to teach.

The West African Examinations Council opened its registration portals for the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), West African Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and Genera/ Advanced Business Certificate Examination candidates.

The WASSCE examinations will begin on Monday, August 5, 2024, and end on September 27, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has announced the commencement of the distribution of 450,000 free student tablets this week under the auspices of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).

The tablets, fully funded by GETFUND, represent a critical component of the government’s Smart Schools Project, aimed at modernising educational infrastructure nationwide.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s directive on March 25 outlines the distribution of 1.3 million tablets to public Senior High School and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students across the country.

The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to digitising all sectors of the country, fostering a technologically-driven learning environment.

In an interview with Joynews, Dr. Adutwum elaborated on the distribution strategy, delineating it into three phases to ensure efficient allocation across educational institutions.

He stated that the initial phase targets 32 schools nationwide, with subsequent
phases to follow.

“The interesting thing about Free SHS is that you can have logistical challenges and that’s not a budget issue, so we have 1.4 million children miles away that we are feeding a day. You can have challenges where food may not have reached a certain location on time.

“The idea is very simple; there are some people who will say use that in providing food for them, but no, there is a budget. There is a difference between a budget allocation and a cash flow allocation, so even if I want to, the law does not allow me to tell GETFUND that I need your money to buy food instead of the tablets you have allocated funds for in your funding formula, so there is a difference between a cash flow logistical issue and a budget issue,” he said

Each tablet, equipped with a keyboard and power bank, offers multifunctionality as a laptop and tablet. Moreover, innovative features such as a solar panel ensure uninterrupted usage, addressing concerns regarding erratic power supply.

Regarding the integration of t
extbooks into the tablet, Dr. Adutwum emphasised a gradual transition, with ICT coordinators providing comprehensive training to educators. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of streamlining educational resources onto digital platforms.

In clarifying the cost per tablet, Dr. Adutwum said that each device is valued at $250, not GHS250.

The projected expenditure for the initial 450,000 tablets amounts to GHS112 million, with the total 1.3 million tablets estimated at GHS337 million.

Responding to queries regarding the allocation of resources amid challenges facing the Free SHS policy, Dr Adutwum delineated between logistical constraints and budgetary allocations.

He emphasised that funds earmarked for the tablet project are under the government’s digitalisation agenda, ensuring a distinct budgetary framework.

“I will give you an example of what I did in one of my schools in the US. One interesting thing that happened when I deployed laptops at the time: we were dreading that the students would
lose their laptops. We had insurance on it. It turned out in the end that after three years, when we evaluated the deployment of laptops in my school in the US, 100 per cent of the students’ laptops were intact. It was rather the teachers who lost their laptops.

“So, you see, sometimes we underestimate the care that students give to the things that matter to them. When they know how much this matters to them, they are not going to just destroy it. When they know that their homework is not going to be done if I do not take good care of this and you train them well and somebody is there to fix it for them, then there is insurance on it.

“Things work in some very unique ways to amaze you,” he added.

Source: Ghana Web

Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice says all persons involved in the marriage between the young teenage girl and the Gborbu Wulomo must face prosecutions if the allegations against them are proven.

He, therefore, petitioned Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police Faustina A.K. Andoh-Kwofie, Director-General, Criminal Investigations Department, to conduct the necessary investigation of the alleged child marriage to enable his Office to do the needful.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Office, on Tuesday, April 2.

A marriage ceremony between Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, and a young teenage girl, has received widespread disapproval and backlash after videos and pictures of the ceremony went viral.

Some accounts put the girl’s age at 12, while others say she is 16.

Some human rights bodies and individuals have also called for the arrest and prosecution of the Wulomo and his alle
ged accomplices.

The traditional ceremony occurred on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Nungua, in Accra.

Meanwhile, the Traditional Authorities in Nungua have, at a press briefing Tuesday, defended the act, explaining that the Gborbu Wulomo temple required a virgin girl to undertake some sacred rites, hence the choice of the minor, who was chosen at birth and groomed for six years for the role.

However, the Police have placed the girl and her mother under protection and are working with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to provide her with the necessary support, while the matter is investigated.

The Attorney-General’s statement quoted sections 14 and 15 of the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) which read:

’14. Right to refuse betrothal and marriage (1) A person shall not force a child; (a) to be betrothed, (b) to be the subject of a dowry transaction, or (c) to be married.

‘(2) The minimum age of marriage of whatever kind is eighteen years.

15. Penalty
for contravention. A person who contravenes a provision of sections 2 to 14 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both the fine and the imprisonment.’

The statement urged the Police not to hesitate to contact the AG’s office should they require further information.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, has disclosed ongoing efforts to retrieve approximately GHS51.2 million owed by businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

This debt originated from unconstitutional contracts between the state and Waterville Holdings Limited in 2006, intended for the construction of CAN 2008 stadia.

In 2014, the Supreme Court mandated Woyome to refund the aforementioned amount to the state.

Tuah Yeboah acknowledged progress in recovering some of these funds but noted that the full amount is yet to be retrieved.

“Recoveries have been made but we have not recovered everything from him. I cannot be specific about what is left but I can say that some monies have been recovered.

“We also attempted to do some execution when it comes to his properties. So, we are still in the process but he has not paid everything,” myjoyonline.com quoted the deputy he explained.

Furthermore, in 2020, the Supreme Court directed the government to acquire several properties owned by
Alfred Woyome to offset the debt. These properties include mansions at Trassaco Estate, a residence at Kpehe, an office complex of Anator Holdings, a residential building at Abelemkpe, and a stone quarry in the Eastern Region.

In parallel, negotiations are underway regarding the $170 million judgment debt awarded to Trafigura, the majority owner of Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC).

This judgment followed Ghana’s termination of a contract for the installation and operation of two power plants, deemed unlawful by an arbitral tribunal in London.

Tuah Yeboah assured the public that Ghana’s properties are secured during negotiations with Trafigura.

“Currently, the properties are safe but if we do not pay at the end of the day the creditors may want to find means…” he is reported to have said.

He further stated that the Ministry of Finance is actively engaged in negotiations to determine payment terms.

These developments highlight the government’s commitment to addressing outstanding debts, while ensur
ing prudent fiscal management.

Source: Ghana Web

The Renel Ghana Foundation, a leading human rights advocacy organisation, has called for enhanced collaboration between the government and all stakeholders to end all forms of child marriages across the country.

This follows the reported marriage between Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII marriage and a teenage girl over the weekend, in Accra.

The advocacy group described the marriage between the two as ‘a clear violation of the provisions of the Children’s Act’.

This was contained in a press release copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Tuesday, April 2, and signed by Mr Nelson Richardson-Mandela, Executive Director.

It stated its readiness to support efforts in Ghana to end child marriage, including those that occur in traditional settings, through advocacy, capacity building, and effective partnerships.

‘It is our collective responsibility to protect and uplift the rights of children, ensuring their well-being and fostering a society that values equality and human dignity,’ the r
elease said.

The release noted that child marriage violated several international laws and the Ghanaian legislation on Child Rights, including the Children’s Act, (1998), Act 560, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Ghana is a signatory.

‘Furthermore, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) also calls for the elimination of child marriage as a harmful traditional practice,’ the statement said.

It also noted that child marriage impeded progress towards achieving gender equality and sustainable development, with adverse health effects, limited educational opportunities, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence.

‘Additionally, child marriage perpetuates cycles of poverty, as young girls are often unable to complete their education, hindering their potential for economic empowerment,’ it noted.

‘In this regard, Renel Ghana Foundation condemns Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII,’s marr
iage to a … young girl as,’ it stated.

Its call for action includes the strengthening of the implementation and enforcement of existing legal frameworks and ensuring that perpetrators of child marriages are held accountable for their actions.

It also called for increased awareness among communities about the harmful effects of child marriage, with an emphasis on education and gender equality as catalysts for social change and progress.

Additionally, there should be the allocation of sufficient resources for initiatives aimed at preventing child marriage, promoting education, empowering young girls and arresting perpetrators.

That, the Foundation said, would go a long way to guarantee the protection of children from all forms of exploitation, including child marriage.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Chief of Ejura Divisional Council in the Ashanti Region, Barimah Osei Hwedie II says it will take Ghana another lifetime to get a selfless and impactful leader like the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Barimah Osei Hwedie II has observed that His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has done a great service to the Asante Kingdom and Ghana by constantly dedicating his time and resources to ensuring peace and prosperity for the citizens.

Barima Osei Hwedie II said this on Saturday, March 30, 2024, when he led a massive clean-up exercise in all communities under his rule as part of efforts to support the Asantehene 25th anniversary celebration.

Preaching the Goodness of Asantehene

Barimah Osei Hwedie II after the exercise mounted a stage in the middle of Ejura Township to tell his subjects about how lucky Ghanaians are to have witnessed the prolific leadership of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“Otumfuo is marking 25 years in the Golden Stool and we all bear witness to what he has accomplished in t
he over two decades of his magnificent rule, Otumfuo has chalked many landmark successes, and his decisive exploits have made his reign truly remarkable “. He told the teaming crowd.

” He started his magnificent reign by resolving many chieftaincy and stool disputes that not only bedevilled the development of Asanteman but Ghana as a whole”

‘Today chieftaincy disputes have been reduced to the barest minimum due to his vision and dedication to peace and development”.

Supporting the Anniversary

Ejurahene Barimah Osei Hwedie II used the occasion to call all on sundry to contribute their quota to make sure Asantehene’s 25th anniversary is more than a success.

He noted those who can contribute in skill, monetary, and any form should do so without any reservation, adding that his Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II deserves more than that looking at how he has dedicated his life for the good course of Asanteman and Ghana.

Source: Ghana Web

The Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, represented His Majesty King Mohammed VI, on Tuesday in Diamniadio near Dakar, at the swearing-in and inauguration ceremony of president-elect of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Akhannouch’s visit to Senegal, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, takes place on the instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, following the invitation extended by Senegal’s newly elected president to the Sovereign to take part in the inauguration ceremony.

Apart from the leaders of the sub-region, His Majesty King Mohammed VI is the only Head of State to have received an invitation to take part in this ceremony, which testifies, once again, to the depth of the unfailing bonds of brotherhood, solidarity and consideration uniting Morocco and Senegal.

The invitation of His Majesty the King to the inauguration ceremony of the new Senegalese president constitutes an endorsement of the Sovereign’s African l
eadership, in addition to the aura and the esteem enjoyed by His Majesty the King.

It also attests to the depth of the exceptional, multi-dimensional partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal in the political, economic, cultural, social and spiritual spheres.

Morocco’s effective high-level participation reinstates relations between the two countries in continuity, as key regional and international actors in the promotion of peace, security, stability and development, in addition to their convergence of views and similarities.

It is also a new gesture of recognition not only of this excellent, privileged bilateral relationship, but also of the role played by HIS MAJESTY THE KING, as a long-standing friend and as an African and pan-African leader, as well as a world leader.

The swearing-in and inauguration ceremony of Senegal’s new president was attended by several Heads of State and chairmen of the commissions of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the March 24 presidential election in the first round with 54.28% of the vote, well ahead of candidate Amadou Ba (35.79%), is Senegal’s fifth president since the country gained independence in 1960.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ejura Divisional Council led by Ejurahene Barimah Osei Hwedie II has gifted a vast plot of land to a 10-year-old class four pupil for winning a television reality show.

The land located in the middle of the Ejura township according to the traditional council is to fulfill a promise made by Barimah Osei Hwedie II after she won the cultural and beauty reality show in the Ashanti Region.

Davida Owusuaah Appiah, branded as Nana Maame, a native of Ejura, was crowned winner in the 2023 edition of Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV’s Daakye Hemaa reality show.

The Queen Mother of Ejura, Nana Akua Tiwaa II on Saturday, March 30, 2024, officially presented all documents on the land to her.

Speaking at a short ceremony at the Ejura Palace, Nana Akua Tiwaa II said the land which cost thousands of cedis was to encourage the Nana Maame to learn and achieve higher heights in her educational career.

She noted that the Ejura Divisional Council led by Ejurahene Barimah II is always open to supporting brilliant and promising you
th in the area who are ready to make Ejura proud.

Appreciation

Receiving the documents on behalf of the school girl, the Ejura Kontihene, Nana Diasempa Antwi Obugyen II thanked the traditional council for the kind gesture.

While expressing gratitude to the entire council, he singled out Ejurahene Barimah Osei Hwedie II and commended him for fulfilling the promise.

He added that the gesture would encourage youth in the area to take their education seriously.

Scholarship package

Barimah Osei Hwedie II has also offered Davida a full scholarship from basic school to tertiary level.

Nana Diasempa Antwi Obugyen II during the presentation of the land documents confirmed Nana Maame is indeed enjoying the scholarship package as announced by Ejurahene a few months ago

As part of the package, Barima Osei Hwedie II also set up a bank account for her with seed money of GhS10,000.

Source: Ghana Web