As part of the processes to activate its new Charter status, the Christian Service University(CSU) has
formally waned itself off
institutional affiliation to the University of Ghana(UG), Legon and the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast(UCC) respectively.
It will be recalled that on May 17 this year, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, upon the advice of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)and the Ministry of Education (MoE) granted a Presidential Charter to the Christian Service University College with effect from September 2023 to become the 10th private charted University in Ghana under a new name:“Christian Service University”.
The Vice Chancellors of CSU and
UCC arrowed in the middle and flanked
left and right by their representatives at the exit meeting
Per the rules of the game, several processes had to be activated to satisfy regulatory, operational and change of internal structures and systems occasioned by the change of status.
So far, a good number of these processes have been successfully completed including, engagement with the University’s stakeholders such as the Council, staff, students and parents/sponsors to ensure that all stakeholders come on board. One of the key outstanding issues had to do with “exit meeting” with the affiliate institutions.
By the grace of God, that hurdle has been crossed.
A high-powered delegation led by the Vice Chancellor of CSU, Prof. Sam Afrane and made
up of the Registrar, Mr. Andrews Kingsley Doku and the Director of Finance, Mr
. Osei Yeboah Asuamah visited the University of Ghana and the
University of Cape Coast to seal the deal.
Prof. Afrane expressed his appreciation to the two affiliate institutions for their sense of duty and dedication to providing academic leadership to CSU over the years.
He,however,assured that now that CSU has closed the mentorship (supervision) chapter and entered into collaboration (partnership), both parties will explore areas of mutual interest such as joint research, exchange programmes and capacity building to further strengthen quality tertiary education in Ghana.
By this development, starting from 2024/2025 academic year, CSU undergraduate students currently enrolled from levels 100 to 300 including postgraduate students will receive the new CSU Certificate upon graduation.
This is indeed a heartwarming news that must be celebrated.
Story by
Rev. Justice Boffah Poku Mensah,
Director, Institutional Advancement Office, CSU
A petition has been filed with the High Court seeking to block the reappointment of Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson as Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The court documents, sighted by dailymailgh.com, name the University, its Governing Board Chair, and former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, as well as Prof. Dickson herself, as defendants in the case.
The lawsuit, brought forward by Clement Ohene Asare, argues that the Governing Council’s decision to renew Prof. Dickson’s appointment was procedurally flawed.
The plaintiff avers in parts of the document that “the University Council chaired by the 2nd defendant without due regard to the University’s statuses/law have unlawfully and purportedly renewed the 3rd defendant’s appointment yet for two years which is to commence from the 1st day of August 2024”.
“That the procedure for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and by necessary implication the renewal of the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment provided for by the 1st Defendant’s statutes requires that when a vacancy occurs or is about to occur in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, a search committee is constituted in accordance with law to propose a suitable candidate for its consideration.”
“That the Council did not follow the above procedure and more, in their purported act of renewing the yet to expire appointment of the 3rd defendant and for the new purported extension to commence on the 1st day of August 2024”.
He further avers that “the defendants are adamant in their quest to continuing their unlawful conducts thus denying the legitimate right of other viable prospective competent contestants and/or qualified persons both locally and globally unless they are restrained by the Honourable Court from doing so”.
“That irreparable damage would be caused by the actions of the defendants of denying the 1st defendants and other prospective competent persons the opportunity to avail themselves to be considered as the Vice-Chancellor and which would defeat the very purpose of the 1st Defendants Statutes/Laws governing the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and which said damage cannot be compensated in monetary value or terms”.
The Kumasi High Court is expected to hear the case and make a ruling on 30 July 2024.
A former President of Nigeria, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, has announced that Ghana’s Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has been tasked to lead a team of education experts in the continent to assist the African Union’s (AU) with its education reforms initiative.
He explained that with Dr Adutwum’s experience and understanding of global education systems, leading the team of experts could help the team come out with a blueprint for the continent to get the best education that would help fight poverty and promote the development of the countries.
Mr Obasanjo in an interaction with Dr.Adutwum and others
Mr Obasanjo who is the chairman of the African Union Educational Committee, announced this recently at a panel discussion during a Presidential Media briefing on Foundational Learning conference organized by Human Capital Africa (HCA) in Accra.
The event which had the theme” Prioritizing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to achieve African Union Agenda 2063 goals” attracted educational stakeholders across the continent.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the conference were President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, Jakaya Mrisho Kiawete, former President of Tanzania and Chairperson, Global Partnership for Education, and Board of Directors, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, former President of Liberia, representative of the African Union Commission, Aliko Dangote, Founder and President/ CEO of Dangote Group and Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, founder and CEO of HCA, former World Bank Vice President, of the African Region,
Prioritize education
Former President Obasanjo stated that since education was about life and death there was a need for the leadership of African countries to attend to education as a life-long issue and not a short-term
He indicated that countries that do not take the issue of education seriously would find it difficult to transform their economies as well as fight poverty among their people.
The former President praised Ghana for the various interventions and initiatives put in place by the Education Ministry that are gradually shaping its economy and improving its educational outcomes.
Teacher Welfare
Mr Obasanjo challenged African countries to take a keen interest in the welfare of their teachers by paying them well and also creating an enabling environment for them to operate effectively towards empowering their students with the requisite knowledge that would shape their understanding.
Mr Obasanjo in an interaction with Dr.Adutwum
Dr Adutwum, responding to a question during the panel discussion stated that there was a need for the African continent to have an education strategic plan that would have the chance of improving education of the various countries.
He explained that such a strategic plan would be able to help the nations with a specific approach to individual nations while some could emulate the best practices of countries doing well.
The Education Minister was optimistic that if all African countries come together to discuss their specific needs, it would be easy to group them for strategic planning and appropriate solutions prescribed for them.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Human Capital Africa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, mentioned that it was time the leadership of the African continent had a critical look at foundational learning which was very critical for a good foundation towards quality education.
She appealed to all stakeholders to come together to support education development on the continent and said that it should not be left in the hands of only politicians.
Dr Ezekwesili lauded the various funding institutions the world over who were working very hard to support the development of education in various countries.
Background
Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria, has played a significant role in African Union (AU) education initiatives.
He has been a strong advocate for education and has emphasized the importance of investing in human capital for Africa’s development.
Mr Obasanjo’s presence at the conference was informed by his conviction for leadership of the African countries to have a second look at the role of education in their transformation.
The Ministry of Education has refuted allegations from the Minority in Parliament that the government owes over six billion Ghana Cedis to various organizations and individuals involved in the Free Senior High School policy.
The Minority caucus alleged that the government has failed to pay over GH₵300 million for the procurement of 1.3 million tablets under the “One Student, One Laptop” initiative. They also claimed that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is owed GH₵224 million.Source:dailymailgh.com
Kwasi Kwarteng
Responding to these allegations, Kwasi Kwarteng, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, dismissed the claims as baseless.
“Let me hasten to clarify that the said amount being owed by the Ministry of an excess of 6 billion Ghana Cedis, as claimed by the Minority in Parliament, is not accurate. The Ministry would have been more grateful if they had given more clarifications and details on where they had such figures from.
“Because from our records, we do not have such representations even in terms of the outstanding arrears we owe our vendors, organizations, and individuals we work with.
“If you look at the claims made by the Minority, reference is made to the government owing the supplier for the ‘One Student, One Tablet’ initiative. But clearly, if you want to juxtapose that claim with the contract the government has with the supplier, at the end of the day, the distribution is in phases, so at every point, the government will pay based on performance,” Kwasi Kwarteng added.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that first-year senior high students for the 2024/25 academic year are expected to report to school on Friday, September 27.
School heads and parents are urged to take note and ensure their wards are well-prepared for the new academic term.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, July 16, GES also indicated that the students will conclude their first semester and vacate on December 6.
The statement clarified that all other activities and programmes scheduled for the semester will proceed as planned without any changes.
File picture
“Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) wishes to inform all heads of Senior High/Senior High Technical Schools that the re-opening date for 1st year students of the 2024/2025 academic year,” the statement said.
At the just ended 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), 569,095 candidates, made up of 286,447 girls and 282,648 boys took part, and hope to be placed in Senior High Schools.
Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
In a significant stride towards enhancing the quality of education in Ghana, the National Service Scheme (NSS) launched the NSS Pedagogy Module in 2022, a progressive programme designed to equip National Service Personnel (NSP) with advanced teaching methods and educational techniques.
Jon.Osei Assibey Antwi
This initiative, spearheaded by the Executive Director of the NSS, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, in collaboration with the National Teaching Council (NTC), Transforming Teaching, Education, and Learning (T-TEL), and the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), aims to bridge the gap between untrained and qualified teachers, ensuring that every classroom in Ghana is led by competent and effective educators.
It would be recalled that this collaborative effort has culminated in the development of a comprehensive Pedagogy Training Manual, which was launched alongside the commencement of the first training session.
The programme’s primary goal is to equip the NSPs entering classrooms for their mandatory one-year service with basic teaching skills to foster effective learning environments in schools, particularly in deprived and hard-to-reach communities.
Addressing the Teacher Gap Over the decades, the NSS has played a pivotal role in addressing the pupil-teacher ratio gap by deploying over 40 per cent of service personnel to basic and second-cycle institutions annually.
Recognising the need for formal training, the NSS has introduced this pedagogy module to ensure that service personnel without prior educational training can still deliver high-quality education. These personnel not only impart knowledge but also serve as role models within their communities.
Inaugural Year and 2023 Milestones
The National Service Scheme (NSS) marked a significant milestone in its efforts to professionalise teaching with the official launch of its pedagogy training programme on December 5, 2022, in Accra.
In 2022, the programme’s launch saw 300 National Service Personnel (NSPs) trained and deployed to senior high schools.
The following year, 2023, the initiative expanded significantly, with 1,934 NSPs undergoing rigorous pedagogy training to enhance their teaching skills for their national service.
It is worth mentioning that the 2023 cohort consisted of 1,122 male participants and 812 female participants.
2024 Projections
With the impressive public support the initiative has received, there are plans to expand its influence.
Looking ahead, the National Service Scheme (NSS) intends to broaden the scope of the Pedagogy Programme to include more National Service Personnel (NSPs) deployed in Basic and Second cycle institutions, particularly targeting those personnel who lack teaching skills.
Leveraging the increased cooperation from our partners, the Scheme is poised to deploy close to 5,000 service personnel to bolster teaching and learning activities in senior high schools.
The groundwork for the third phase of this crucial programme has already been laid, setting the stage for a successful commencement.
There is a concerted effort to develop NSPs’ capacity in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), enabling them to cater to all learners, including those with special needs.
This is particularly crucial in rural areas where the pupil-teacher ratio gap remains significant.
Furthermore, the NSS aims to facilitate the enrolment of NSPs interested in pursuing a career in teaching in postgraduate education programmes through partnerships with colleges of education and other institutions.
Emphasising Professionalism and Compliance
The NSS pedagogy training aligns with the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 1023 of 2020, which mandates the NTC to regulate the teaching profession.
This includes professionalising teaching through standards development, continuous professional development, and licensing.
The training ensures that NSPs comply with these standards, promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
The training module includes a two-week initial intensive training before service
commencement and intermittent training throughout the one-year period, providing NSPs with year-long hands-on practice and theoretical knowledge essential for effective teaching.
Upon completing the training, NSPs are awarded temporary licenses, allowing them to teach in secondary schools. This temporary licensure is a stepping stone towards obtaining a full professional license, provided they pass the teacher licensure exams.
A New Era of ‘Deployment for Employment’
Under the umbrella of the “deployment for employment” agenda, the NSS is moving towards professionalising teaching among NSPs, ensuring that those without pedagogical training receive basic teaching skills through the Pedagogy Training for Untrained Teachers initiative.
This signifies a shift from merely mobilising NSPs for deployment to equipping them with employability skills that ensure sustainable livelihoods post-service.
This initiative underscores the NSS’s commitment to fostering continuous professional development among NSPs and instilling a culture of lifelong learning and growth.
Conclusion
The NSS Pedagogy Module can be described as a leapfrogging approach towards improving the quality of education in Ghana.
By equipping NSPs with the necessary teaching skills, the programme not only addresses the immediate needs of the education sector but also a means of creating an opportunity for job creation for thousands of Ghana’s youth.
This initiative highlights the NSS’s commitment to transforming education and providing valuable employment opportunities for NSPs.
By::Armstrong Esaah,Head of Corporate Affairs
National Service Scheme
A state-of-the-art cybersecurity, digital forensic, STEM and artificial Intelligence laboratory has been launched at the Wisconsin International University College in Accra.
The new facility which is designed to serve both academic and consultancy purposes has positioned the university as the leader in technological innovation and advancement in research in the West Africa sub-region.
Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum, Education Minister performing the launching
Among the key features of the new edifice are advanced cybersecurity equipment, Digital Forensic tools, Artificial Intelligence Integration and STEM Innovation Hub.
Launching speech
Launching the facility, the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, praised the leadership of the University for its vision and effort towards providing the needed resources for the training of their students.
He was particularly happy that the introduction of the new equipment was in line with the government’s vision of providing Ghanaian students with critically needed skills so they would be relevant and competitive wherever they travel globally.
Dr Adutwum hinted at plans to inaugurate some new STEM institutions by September this year to boost the teaching and learning of STEM in the country.
Relevance to the nation
He explained that the government’s focus on STEM education was due to the critical role STEM played in the transformation of every country.
The Education Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti region was upbeat that the new facility would go a long way to complement the government’s effort at promoting STEM education in the country.
Changing the face of education
He recounted the effort being made to transform the nation through education as he mentioned the various interventions and innovations that have been brought on board towards changing the face of education in the country and urged the people to trust the government for its development focus through education.
The President of WIUC, Prof. Obeng Mireku, commended their various partners for the successful setting up of the facility indicating that it was part of their effort to boost the teaching and learning of STEM courses in the institution.
Again, he explained that “this facility represents a remarkable advancement in technology education in Ghana, demonstrating our dedication to significantly contributing to the nation’s ICT education”.
Prof. Mireku stated that the new facility will focus on critical areas such as cybersecurity, digital forensics, artificial intelligence and STEM.
He mentioned that the lab would help to empower users to stimulate and analyse real-world scenarios, to enhance their capability to handle digital crimes and cybersecurity issues very well.
Background
The provision of the state-of-the-art cybersecurity, Digital Forensic, STEM and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has been identified as a very crucial course needed by various facets of the nation’s economy.
It is based on this that the management of the WIUC in collaboration with both their local and foreign partners provided the facility to enhance effective teaching and learning for their students as well as other state institutions including the Cyber Security Authority.
The laboratory equipped with cutting-edge technology and modern equipment was part of WIUC’s initiative for the introduction of their new Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, ICT and Business Computing programmes.
Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John K. Kapi, has refuted allegations that WAEC manipulates examination results for political purposes.
According to him, his outfit ensures fairness and upholds strict standards in their marking schemes.
“It’s untrue that we alter results to favour any government. No one should claim our exams are politically influenced. What candidates deserve is exactly what they receive,” Mr. Kapi stressed.
He made this known in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Thursday, while addressing concerns about undue influence and compromised WAEC officials.
In Mr. Kapi’s view, there is no intention to please any government by adjusting the marking scheme.
“Such claims are baseless. No one within our organization would compromise our standards. We meticulously review and agree on marking schemes during coordination meetings to ensure consistency,” he explained.
The WAEC official said examiners are instructed to adhere strictly to agreed-upon criteria and not to use discretion to favour any candidate.
“We stand by our rigorous processes to guarantee fair and impartial examination outcomes,” he added.
In a fierce contest that showcased some of the brightest young minds in the Ashanti region, Kumasi High School has for the second time won the LUV FM-PEPSODENT High School Debate.
This marks their return to the top, following their previous victory two years ago.
In a nail-biting faceoff with Our Lady of Grace Senior High School (OLAG), Kumasi High proved once again that they are among the most formidable competitors in interscholastic debates.
The riveting contest centered on the motion: “The rising cost of living cannot be blamed on the government”.
Debaters from both schools presented compelling arguments supported by extensive research. However, Kumasi High School had the eloquence and convincing delivery to sway the judges in their favor.
“We owe this victory to countless late nights spent brainstorming ideas, reviewing evidence, and refining our strategy. It took discipline, commitment, and resilience from everyone involved,” said Joshua Kwabena Afram, Supporting Speaker for Kumasi High School.
Baba Hudu Ibrahim, debate trainer of Kumasi High School, expressed immense pride in his institution’s accomplishment.
Reflecting on the journey leading up to their victory, Baba Hudu emphasized how participating in such tournaments provides valuable opportunities beyond merely acquiring communication skills.
“We are coming for our third trophy because these experiences shape our students into confident communicators and insightful analysts capable of engaging constructively in conversations pertinent to societal advancement,” he noted.
Meanwhile, St. Hubert Seminary SHS took the third-place position after an intense battle with Church of Christ SHS.
LUV FM General Manager, Jimmy Aglah, described the enthusiasm demonstrated by all competing schools as inspiring and promising for Ghana’s future.
As preparations commence for the 2025 edition, Kumasi High School will undoubtedly remain a force to reckon with, spurred on by their recent achievement.
Yet even as they celebrate, it remains certain that the stage is now set for another intriguing battle of wit in the coming year.
The high school debate had Pepsodent Cavity Fighter toothpaste as headline sponsor. Others include Jackson University College, Bigoo Cola, Fortune Spread for bread and Christian Service University.
Supporters for the debate are Cowbell Milk, Naky Publications, Ultimate Land Hub, Jamaa Soap, Flora Tissues, Super Lovek and Top Choco. Others are Best Brain Publications, New Generation Investment Services, DBS Industries, Otuasekan Rural Bank, Dunamis Plast Company, Seed Travel Consult, Tradewinds Chemist, The Rub Haven, Slim and Fit and Daksa Dental Clinic.
Source: Nana Boakye Yiadom
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has eulogized the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for making giant strides towards curtailing examination malpractices in the country.
He pledged the Education Ministry’s preparedness to continue collaborating with WAEC and other stakeholders towards winning the fight against exam malpractice in the country.
Dr Adutwum announced this after visiting the Accra College of Education Demonstration School to monitor the ongoing BECE on Monday.
A total of 570,461 candidates are currently writing the exams in 2,123 centres across the country.
The exams would be used as the means of determining the qualification for the candidates’ selection of courses at Senior High as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions next academic year.
Innovations
The Education Minister said although the serialization of exam questions which started three years ago has been successful, they were now considering introducing e-testing which would lead to a computer selecting a set of questions for every student and this would prevent exam malpractices.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum inspecting ongoing exam
He wished all the candidates writing the exams well and prayed that they work very hard so they pass well so that they would be able to continue their education.
The Ayawaso West Municipal Director of Education, Madam Margaret Kaba, assured the Minister that everything possible would be done to ensure that the exams were conducted without any incident.
She hinted that a total of 1,345 candidates were writing the BECE in the Municipality of which 695 were boys and the remaining 650 were girls.
