Category: Science

Nkwanta South (O/R), Jan 11, GNA – The Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly and the Education directorate on Tuesday welcomed all pupils and students in the Municipality on resumption of new academic year.

Mr Bright K. Lenwah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE)together with Mr Jonathan Kosinah, the Municipal Education Director visited some schools in the Municipality, which recorded a low turnout of students, while about 90 per cent of teachers were present and ready to teach.

Presenting some learning materials such as ‘my first copy books’, pencils, erasers, and slates to the beginners and the primary one pupil, Mr Lenwah MCE, urged them to study hard to become prominent people in society through education.

He also exhorted the teachers to give out their best by impacting the necessary knowledge they acquired on the pupils since the children are the reason they have been sent there.

Mr Jonathan Kosinah, the Municipal Education Director expressed his displeasure about the low attendance of the pupils but commended the teachers for their presence.

He urged all Headteachers and their teachers to up their games by educating parents on the need to bring their wards to school, especially those of school age but still at home.

He further called on parents and guidance to allow their wards to come to school because classes had started which they would not leave anyone behind.

They were accompanied by Mr Joseph Abugre, Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Mawuena Damson, Administration and Finance officer of Ghana Education Service (GES), among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Management of Quality Control Company Limited (QCC), a subsidiary of the Ghana Cocoa Board, on Thursday, January 5, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof Abednego F. O. Amartey.

The QCC delegation, led by the Board Chair, Dr Ebenezer Owusu, held fruitful discussions with the Vice-Chancellor on a number of mutually beneficial issues.

Notable amongst the issues was a proposed partnership between the two public institutions, which will see QCC undertake fumigation exercises in the various students’ hostels and lecture blocks on campus.

QCC, an ISO-certified company, is responsible for the inspection, grading, and sealing of Ghana’s cocoa, coffee, and shea nuts for the local and international markets.

“We are also responsible for the fumigation and disinfestation of produce and are currently seeking to extend our fumigation services to other institutions to ensure a safe environment for all,” Dr Owusu said.

Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor thanked them for the visit, adding that he was confident the deliberations would benefit both parties.

He said as a University community, the safety of students, faculty, and staff was paramount, and thus it was imperative that “we adopt an environmentally-friendly approach to fumigating our campus.”

Present at the meeting were Mr Julius Martinson (the Managing Director of QCC), Mr Samuel Saka Boateng (the Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations at QCC) and Mr George Oppong (the Deputy Director of Human Resources at QCC).

The rest were Ms. Ivy Heward-Mills (Deputy Director of Public Affairs at UPSA) and Mr Daniel Duyuoh (Procurement Officer at UPSA).

Source: University of Professional Studies

Accra, Jan. 09, GNA – The University of Ghana has suspended four former Commonwealth Hall Junior Common Room (JCR) executives for breaching the University’s student code of conduct.

The former executives, namely: Mr. Paul Anim Inkoom, President; Mr. Bright Gati, Vice President; Mr. Daniel Kofi Boakye, Secretary, and Mr. Daniel Odoi Nyarko, Treasurer, where each suspended for three academic years in accordance with Section 45(g) of the statutes of the University of Ghana, 2011, as amended.

This was contained in a statement on the University’s website, signed by Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, its Registrar.

According to the statement, on August 18 and 19, 2022, the former executives organised or allowed the organisation of JCR meetings of Commonwealth Hall where some defamatory and false statements where made against senior officers of the University.

“These meetings provided a platform for the delivery and publication of false, reckless and defamatory statements against senior officers of the University, which brought the Offices of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice- Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs and the University as a whole into disrepute,” the statement said.

The statement noted that a formal complaint was lodged against the affected students, where the Disciplinary Board for Junior Members conducted a hearing and established a case of misconduct contrary to the University of Ghana Statutes 2011, as amended, and the University of Ghana Regulations for Junior Members, 2017, against them.

The Disciplinary Board also found that their conduct breached Statutes 42(1)(n) and (o) of the University of Ghana Statutes 2011, as amended, and Regulations 7.11(c)(xiv) and (xv); and (f)(ii) and (iii)) of the University of Ghana Regulations for Junior Members, 2017.

The statement said the sanction would run concurrently with previous sanction for misconduct for blatantly disobeying the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of Student Affairs.

It noted that Mr. Paul Anim Inkoom had earlier been suspended for two academic years after being found guilty of misconduct, contrary to Regulations 7.1(e) and 7.1(g) of the University of Ghana Regulations for Junior Members, 2017.

The statement urged students of the University to acquaint themselves with the content of the statutes and student regulations, available on the University’s website, as contravention would lead to imposition of appropriate sanctions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Somanya (E/R), Professor Joseph Kofi Teye, Director of Research, Office of Research, Innovation, and Development, University of Ghana, has challenged the Ghanaian political leadership to counter neopatrimonialism in order to accelerate Ghana’s socioeconomic development.

Describing neopatrimonialism as the use of public resources by political leaders for personal benefit, which makes the country poorer, individuals richer, he said: “This is called state capture, and it is not good for socio-economic development. It can also lead to poor quality of projects.”

Professor Teye delivered this remark at the Yilo State Homecoming Summit 2022, which was hosted by the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly in Somanya in the Eastern Region, on the theme: “Yilo Beyond Politics: Harnessing Our Development Potentials.”

It was meant to rally the people of Yilo for the socio-economic development of the Yilo state.

Practices such as equity in resource allocation to individuals and communities should be encouraged, Prof. said, and urged that supporters of both the ruling party and the opposition parties should be part of the planning, designing, and implementation of development initiatives.

He also advised that the function of the civil service should not be jeopardised since it might lead to a fall in performance, noting, for example, that the desire to appoint political party supporters to occupy certain positions tended to create overstaffing in several government offices.

“Some new governments may also transfer public officials associated with the previous regime to rural areas,” he added, emphasising the need to eschew the practise and rather work collaboratively to capitalise on business opportunities.

He further recommended that sub-groups be formed to design community development projects such as hospitals and police stations, as well as explore opportunities in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, trade, and industry.

“We can support development through Build, Operate and Transfer agreements as well as public private partnerships,” he said.

Prof. Teye also advised that resource mobilisation efforts should be strengthened because the Government could not provide all the resources required to develop the country, saying, “We must contribute.”

He noted that several northern Ghana professionals in urban areas, contributed roughly GHS1000.00 annually to develop their home towns, which is incredibly useful to sectors like education and health.

Mr. Eric Tetteh, Yilo Krobo Municipal Chief Executive, said the summit’s topic was chosen with the notion that people of the land, regardless of their party affiliations, must work together to improve Yilo state.

The Krobo enclave is endowed with mountains, waterfall, limestone, arable land for agriculture, professionals, craft and associated tradesmen , as well as University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Meridian Hospital, and JVL-YKMA Recycling Plant.

The MCE described the area as a gateway to tourist destinations, but noted that its wealth had not been matched with the pace of social and economic progress.

Chiefs, Queen mothers, and elders, sons and daughters of Yilo land and numerous individuals, attended the maiden summit hosted in the multi-purpose hall of UESD in Somanya.

Cultural performances, including Klama dance and a documentary show on tourist attractions in Yilo Krobo, in addition to a talk shop on harnessing untapped tourism, cultural, and agricultural potentials in the area were side attractions to the historical event.

Beaded necklaces, beaded bangles, beaded key holders, beaded earrings, African wears, and mango products were also on show.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hohoe (V/R), Jan. 6, GNA – A total of 350 desks have been handed over to 12 basic and second-cycle institutions in the Hohoe Municipality by the Assembly.

The cost of the desks presented to the eight basic schools and four second-cycle schools is GH¢120,000.

Mr Daniel Noble Awume, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the Assembly was resolved to manifesting government’s transformation agenda.

He said it was his desire to see health and education as top priorities as far as the Municipality was concerned.

Mr Awume said the Assembly was aware that there was need for more furniture in schools, adding that they would do their best to fill the gap.

He said there were plans to also reward productivity of heads and teachers at schools as a form of motivation while there were also plans to ensure that teachers gave their best to students.

Mr Awume said the Assembly would also plan packages for all schools, especially the second cycle and special schools to improve education in the Municipality.

Madam Janet Valerie Datsa Agbotse, Hohoe Municipal Director of Education, who received the desks, expressed gratitude to the MCE and Assembly for the support.

She noted that they had recognised the immense support from the MCE towards issues related to education and welfare of students in the Municipality.

Madam Agbotse noted that the availability of teaching and learning materials remained one of the factors that ensured quality education.

She said the desks came at the right time while hopeful that they would receive enough next time to enable other schools’ benefit.

Some beneficiary schools include the Hohoe E. P Senior High School, Gbi Akplamafu M/A Basic School, Wli Todzi R.C Basic School, Afadjato and Alavanyo SHTSs, Fodome Amele E/P Primary and Hohoe Experimental Junior High School.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Jan. 03, GNA – The management of the University of Ghana says the 15 per cent adjustment of fees for the 2022/2023 academic year was based on rates approved by Parliament and communicated through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The University assured students, parents, and all stakeholders that the fees charged for the 2022/2023 academic year were legal and duly based on approved fee levels as authorised by Parliament.

This was in a statement signed by Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the Registrar, University of Ghana, issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on the adjustments to academic facility user fees for the 2022/2023 academic year.

The statement said the University recognised the current difficult economic situation in the country and provided flexible fee payment terms for students.

“Students are allowed to register for the first semester upon payment of 50 per cent of their academic facility user fees, with the remaining amount due in the second semester.

“Additionally, students with genuine financial difficulties are encouraged to apply to access support through the University’s Students Financial Aid Office. Management operates an open-door policy and has engaged student leadership on these issues,” the statement said.

The statement said the University would continue to dialogue with student leaders, the general student body, parents and guardians, and all other stakeholders for a better understanding and appreciation of all matters on the welfare of stakeholders at the University.

It expressed concerns about the false information circulated about the adjustments of academic facility user fees by the University for the 2022/2023 academic year and thought it prudent to set the records straight for all stakeholders.

The statement said in the 2019/2020 academic year, public universities, including the University of Ghana, were given approval by Parliament to increase their fees by 5 per cent cumulatively based on the 2016/2017 approved fees.

“Though the gazetted approved fees for 2019/2020 academic year were found to be higher than what the University had earlier requested students to pay for the academic year, University management decided to suspend the implementation of the new fees until the 2020/2021 academic year to spare students from a fee increase in the middle of the 2019/2020 academic year,” it said.

The statement said the University announced on December 13, 2022, following all the necessary internal consultations and approval by the University council, that due to the increasing cost of operations, it had become necessary for the University to implement the 2019/2020 approved fees.

The statement also noted that the fee schedules published at the time were provisional, and that amounts to be paid would be updated once fees for the 2022/2023 academic year were approved by Parliament.

The University Students Association of Ghana, in a statement on December 20, 2022, rejected the 15 per cent increment in fees for public universities approved by Parliament.

The Association said the upward adjustment would make access to education increasingly difficult.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Agona Swedru (C/R), Jan 2, GNA – Nana Kweku Eseini V, the Regent of Agona Swedru, has advised the youth to eschew negative lifestyles that could destroy their future and become a burden on their families and society.

He said it was sad to see some young people who should have devoted their time on productive activities rather engaging in drugs, alcohol and other vices, which could ruin their lives.

Nana Esieni said this when he addressed the end-of-year meeting of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs at Agona Swedru in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.

He said the youth should dedicate their energies and time on education to become responsible adults rather than engaging in acts that could create problems for them through their youthful exuberances.

“The upcoming generations should take advantage of the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to learn some skills to become self-employed instead of going about aimlessly,” he stated.

“TVET is key to human development and gives hope for the future, provides the youth with skills to become self-reliant, prevents one from becoming a burden on his or her family and society, and brings about quality life.”

Nana Esieni said the Swedruman Council had taken steps to secure funds from well-to-do Agonaman citizens, both home and abroad, to construct Information and Communication Technology centre at Swedru for the youth to be abreast of technology to enhance their education.

He called on parents, especially fathers, to take full responsibility of their children to reduce the street-children menace, while reminding them of the law on child neglect.

The Regent expressed gratitude to the citizens of Swedru for their cooperation leading to a successful funeral rite of the late Nana Kobena Botwe II, in November 2022.

Source: Ghana News Agency