Government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has terminated contracts with all Regional and Zonal Coordinators of the Ghana School Feeding Programme(GSFP) with immediate effect.
This was contained in a letter dated,4th March,2025 and addressed to all Regional and Zonal Coordinators of GSFP entitled “TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS”.
The letter signed by the sector Minister, (MP),is reproduced below; “Please be informed that the contracts of all Regional and Zonal Coordinators of the Ghana School Feeding Programme(GSFP) are hereby terminated with immediate effect.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your service to the nation and wish you well in all your endeavours.Kindly visit the GSFP Secretariat for your individual termination letters and handling over instructions”.
At least five students sustained severe injuries, with several others suffering minor wounds, after violence erupted during a peace ceremony between students of Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Technical Institute on Tuesday, February 25.
The ceremony, held at Bawku Technical Institute, was organized by school authorities in collaboration with the Kpalwega traditional rulers to end recurring clashes between the two schools.
As part of the reconciliation process, the traditional leaders proposed the burial of the okra stick, a symbolic ritual aimed at fostering peace.
A picture of an injured student getting assistance by colleagues to seek medical attention
However, during the event, tensions flared, and students from both schools began pelting stones at each other, disrupting the proceedings and causing multiple injuries.
The Bawku Divisional Police Command swiftly intervened to restore order, while the injured students were rushed to Quality and Vineyard hospitals in Bawku for treatment.
Despite the disruption, school authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES) proceeded with the ritual, successfully completing it with the involvement of the senior prefects from both schools.By: Ibrahim Abode
The 2025 Ghana edition of the Study UK Alumni Awards took place over the weekend with the celebration of the achievements of 12 exceptional UK alumni.
The night saw all 12 contestants being presented with a certificate for their significant impact on their various fields of endeavour in the country.
Four out of the 12 who emerged winners of the four categories took home a certificate, a plaque and an undisclosed amount of cash as a grant for their personal development.
The awards categories covered areas like: Business and Innovation (For alumni driving business growth and innovation), Social Action (Recognizing those making a significant impact on social development and advocacy) Culture and Creativity (Celebrating alumni who have contributed to the arts, culture, and creative industries) as well as Science and Sustainability (Honouring individuals advancing science and promoting sustainability).
A section of award winners in a group photograph
Awards categories
The Business and Innovation award was won by King A. Wellington (a former student of the University of Birmingham) and the winner for the Culture and Creativity category was Yvonne Osei, (a former student of Queen Mary, University of London).
Ms Adaku Ufere (a former student of the University of Aberdeen) grabbed the Science & Sustainability award while Miracule Daniel Gavor (a former student of the University of Roehampton) picked the Social Action Award.
The UNESCO Country Representative, Edmond Moukala, said, “Today, we honour not just the accomplishments of the award recipients, but also the spirit of collaboration and solidarity that connects us all”.
“Your journeys—shaped by experiences in the UK, have equipped you with unique perspectives and skills, enabling you to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development in various sectors”,he added.
The Country Representative explained that their accomplishments were also a good reminder to all about the importance of quality higher education as it was essential for achieving sustainable development and does not only equip individuals with the tools necessary for personal and professional growth.
A section of award winners displaying their awards
Mr Moukala stated that “Investing in quality higher education is therefore an investment in a sustainable future for all and as the UNESCO Representative to Ghana, I emphasize the importance of quality education as a foundational pillar for sustainable growth and cultural preservation”.
Strength of UK Education
The Country Director of British Council Ghana, Nii Doodo Dodoo, in his welcome remarks, said the Study UK Alumni Awards highlight the strength of a UK education and its power to inspire leadership and change.
He indicated “that through these awards, we not only recognize individual accomplishments but also reaffirm the enduring bond between Ghana and the UK“.
“The achievements of our finalists, along with the many UK alumni making a difference across Ghana, remind us that the value of a UK education extends far beyond individual success. It catalyzes positive change, driving innovation, and progress in communities and industries alike”. Nii Dodoo said.
Background
The Study UK Alumni Awards recognises the outstanding achievements of Individuals who have studied in the UK and are making a positive impact in Ghana, in their communities, industries and beyond.
The annual awards organized by the British Council of Ghana serve as a platform to inspire the next generation of leaders and strengthen ties between the UK and Ghana through education, collaboration, and innovation.
PRESS RELEASE IN RESPONSE TO THE INVESTIGATION BY THE
FOURTH ESTATE REGARDING THE NATIONAL SERVICE
AUTHORITY (NSA)
Our attention has been drawn to a media publication by the Fourth Estate making several allegations against former officers of the National Service
Authority.
The publication, is laden with a misapprehension of the enrolment, verification and payment processes of the National Service Authority, as well as selective omission of information, calculated to
achieve contrived conclusions of imputing wrong doing to former officers. We respond to the various claims as follows:
1. The publication claims that the figures submitted to parliament for budgetary purposes are significantly different from what is
available to the public. Our checks reveal that the claim is palpably
misleading as the Fourth Estate only relies on figures from the
general posting done in September without including two (2)
cohorts of Nursing trainees and one (1) cohort of Teacher Trainees.
It must be noted, that in addition to the general enrolment cycle by
the Authority, the NSA in partnership with the Nursing and
Midwifery Council runs an enrolment cycle for nurses with the same being done for teachers in partnership with the Teachers Council. The shortfalls in the figures are therefore accounted for from these other enrolment cycles. The claim by the Fourth Estate is
therefore without any basis, which fact would have been apparent
to them had the exercise any diligence in their purported
investigations.
The Fourth Estate relies on the above disparity to claim that the NSA
payroll has been padded with “Ghosts” because monies allocated
by Parliament exceed verified postings. Instructively, submissions of personnel list to parliament for budgetary purposes are based onthe total personnel posted by the Authority. However, in practice,
not all persons posted end up on the payroll owing to varying reasons including failing verification and failure to show up for the service.
The payroll is thus only activated following stringent verification
processes and only personnel who pass the verification process are
paid through the GhiPPS System, a Bank of Ghana subsidiary system. Even then, the payment is only made after monthly validations that confirm that personnel are at their respective postings. Any surplus sums after payments by GhiPPS are left in
the Authority’s account for subsequent use. The publication by Fourth Estate is therefore false in suggesting simply because monies allocated by parliament exceed verified postings, some “ghosts” are
drawing pay.
The Fourth Estate further claims that the NSA system is full of
people who are overaged, bear foreign pictures and wrong IDs. Based on these, the Fourth Estate concludes yet again, that these are ghosts drawing pay from the NSA. This is a clear misapprehension
of the enrolment, verification and payment systems of the NSA. Educational Institutions provide an initial data of eligible persons for national service without any input from the Authority. Private
persons are also entitled to register for national service with the Authority.
Such entry data is often ridden with several errors including the kind described by the Fourth Estate since there is no other data to
cross-reference it with and unscrupulous persons always attempt to
override the Authority’s system every enrolment cycle. However, during the regional verification process, which all personnel are required to undergo in person, personnel provide identification
information including Identification cards, facial biometric and finger biometric data. This information is cross-referenced with theinitial data submitted and personnel with inconsistent information
are categorised as banned or made to pend awaiting verification.
Any personnel failing verification remains in the system under the
banned, on hold or pending category, but becomes ineligible to be paid hence does not draw from the payroll. Majority of rejections happen at this stage and in point of fact, the several images,
allegations of foreign nationals and placeholder images provided by the Fourth Estate are within this category of fraudulent attempts to beat the NSA System.
It is therefore shocking, that considering the standing of the Fourth
Estate as a media outlet, they would rely on these entry data
without ascertaining from GhiPPS (the paying entity), the actual number of personnel paid per year and whether any of these persons with such inconsistent information actually received allowances from the NSA
This betrays the malicious intent of the purported investigation by
the Fourth Estate, as merely calculated to hurriedly publish a sensational story to smear former officers, rather than diligently establish the facts as expected of a decent media house.
Throughout our tenure, we committed to implementing robust enrolment and verification mechanisms to reduce the occurrences
of unscrupulous attempts to circumvent the system. One of such important systems was the development of a common portal and the generation of unique access codes to institutions for the
submission of their enrolment data in order to reduce the likelihood of manipulation at the entry point.
The publication by the Fourth Estate must therefore be treated with the contempt it deserves as it is a manifest example of how the misapprehension of data and institutional processes may result in
conclusions that misinform and mislead the general public.
We urge journalists to stay true to their creed and be thorough in their
work to avoid publishing sensational stories that malign individuals without basis.
Finally, we welcome the directive by President Mahama for an investigation, as we are certain the investigation will reveal that the true state of affairs on the matters published are contrary to the contrived
allegations by the Fourth Estate.
Thank you.
SIGNED
Osei Assibey Antwi
Former Director-General
National Service Authority
Hon. Mustapha Ussif
Former Executive director
National Service
Former Deputy Minister of Education, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, has criticised the government’s proposed National Education Forum, calling it a waste of Ghana’s precious resources.
Ghanaian culture-inspired products
The National Education Forum engagements will open on Tuesday, February 18 and climax with a two-day validation conference from Thursday, February 27, in Accra.
The engagements will take off in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, after which the first zonal engagement for the Volta and Oti regions will start before it moves to other regions.
In an interview on the Channel One Newsroom on Monday February 17, Fordjour questioned the necessity of the forum and emphasised the need for the Mahama administration to implement its proposed education policies.
“I must say that we do not need a national education forum to be able to set a vision for President Mahama because, as a president having ample time to campaign, having set out a team to draft your manifesto, it is supposed that within that period your vision is cut out,” Fordjour stated.
He added that the president made specific promises to voters regarding the education sector, and what is now expected is the translation of those manifesto promises into actionable policies.
Rev John Ntim Fordjour
Fordjour highlighted key expectations from the public, including the continuation and extension of the Free SHS policy to private schools, payment of first-year fees for tertiary students in public institutions, and the cancellation of the double-track system.
“They (Ghanaians) want to see how that finds expression in the budget statement that is going to be presented,” he noted.
The former deputy minister also argued that the forum would be redundant, given the existence of a comprehensive education strategic plan put in place since 2018, which spans from 2018 to 2030.
“What they are going to do is nothing new. It is going to be a waste of time and waste of Ghana’s precious resources,” he asserted.
Ghanaian culture-inspired products
Fordjour explained that the strategic plan, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was developed with input from various stakeholders, including renowned educationists, professors, civil society organisations (CSOs), and both local and international development partners.
He therefore called on the Mahama administration to focus on implementing the existing strategic plan and fulfilling the promises made during the campaign, rather than convening a new forum.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) have expressed their deep concern and disappointment over their exclusion from the upcoming National Education Forum scheduled for February 18 and 19, 2025.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, February 17, the two prominent religious bodies criticized the government’s decision to leave them out of a critical national dialogue on education, despite their significant role in shaping Ghana’s educational landscape.
“While the list of invited national-level stakeholders includes some organisations associated with our two institutions, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Christian Council as such were excluded from it,” the statement noted, calling the omission perplexing given their historical contributions to quality education in Ghana.
The GCBC and CCG, which have been at the forefront of education through their network of mission schools, argued that their exclusion undermines the collaborative spirit necessary for shaping effective and inclusive educational policies.
“Our exclusion from this vital forum undermines the collaborative spirit that is essential to the success of any educational policy or reform,” they stated.
Stressing the need for an all-encompassing dialogue, the religious leaders warned that sidelining key players in education could result in policies that do not reflect the values and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
“The national discourse on education requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including religious bodies, educators, and parents, whose input can guide the formation of policies that align with the values, traditions, and aspirations of the people of Ghana,” the statement continued.
The GCBC and CCG called on the government, particularly the Ministry of Education, to reconsider its decision and ensure that all relevant bodies are part of the discussions.
“We believe that the absence of the GCBC and CCG at this forum is a disservice to the broader educational community and the ideals of inclusivity and shared responsibility in national development.”
Reiterating their commitment to Ghana’s education sector, the religious bodies stressed that achieving meaningful reform requires genuine consultation and partnership.
“It is our firm belief that only through genuine consultation and partnership can we achieve the holistic educational reform that Ghana so desperately needs.”
They assured their readiness to work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s education system remains high-quality, inclusive, and aligned with the moral and spiritual values of the country.
“We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue for the betterment of education in Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The press release was signed by Most Rev. Matthew K. Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilliard Dela Dogbe, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana.
As of now, the Ministry of Education has yet to respond to the concerns raised by the GCBC and CCG, but the call for inclusion adds to the broader conversation about stakeholder participation in shaping Ghana’s educational policies.Source: Abubakar Ibrahim
The 2025 Ghana edition of the Study UK Alumni Awards will take place on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Individuals who have studied in the UK and are making a positive impact in Ghana, in their communities, industries, and beyond, will be honoured at this prestigious event at the British Council Accra.
The awards serve as a platform to inspire the next generation of leaders and strengthen ties between the UK and Ghana through education, collaboration, and innovation.
In attendance would be UK alumni in Ghana, Government officials and policymakers, corporate leaders and business professionals as well as key stakeholders in education and development.
The annual event has the objective of celebrating the achievements of outstanding UK alumni in Ghana, recognising individuals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and social impact, showcasing how a UK education has positively influenced alumni and their communities and also fostering stronger connections between alumni and key stakeholders.
The Study UK Alumni Awards is not just an awards ceremony but a celebration of excellence, innovation, and the transformative power of education.
It offers a unique opportunity to showcase inspiring stories and connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to making a difference.
The awards ceremony organised by the British Council creates an opportunity for the alumni members and other stakeholders to interact, socialize and network among other engagements.
Award Categories
During the events, awards will be presented in the areas of: Business and Innovation (For alumni driving business growth and innovation), Social Action (Recognizing those making a significant impact on social development and advocacy) Culture and Creativity (Celebrating alumni who have contributed to the arts, culture, and creative industries) as well as Science and Sustainability (Honouring individuals advancing science and promoting sustainability).
END
The Mampong Municipal Director of Education, Prince Owusu-Ansah, has emphasized that quality formal education remains the cornerstone of any thriving society, especially Ghana.
According to him, through education, young minds are empowered, potential leaders nurtured while paving the way for a brighter tomorrow, for which all stakeholders must contribute their quota towards providing the most conducive environment for teaching and learning to thrive.
Rev. Fr. Philip Agyei receiving document to the building plot from the queen mother of Hwidiem
Mr. Owusu-Ansah made the call at Hwidiem in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti region at the inauguration of a new classroom block for the local M/A Primary School.
The new six-classrooms block with an ICT Centre, a Library, Offices and a Store, was financed by the Parishners of the Spires of Faith Cluster of Dyersville in Iowa of the United States through an appeal by a native of Hwidiem, Reverend Father Philip Agyei as a memorial of his 10th anniversary of priesthood.
The new 6-classrooms block with ancillary facilities before inuaguration
It replaces the dilapidated structure built in 1977 which had some of the classrooms being shared by some of the classes and had never seen any maintenance since its establishment.
It had therefore become a major disincentive to school enrolment, attendance, teaching and learning.
Prince Owusu-Ansah, Mampong Municipal Director of Education
The Assembly Member for the Nintin Electoral Area, Nicholas Osei-Wusu secured enough age appropriate desks from the Mampong Municipal Assembly for all the classrooms to allow for academic work to take place.
The Mampong Municipal Director of Education, Prince Owusu-Ansah, described the new school block as more than mortar and brick since it represents hope, opportunity and a brighter future for the children.
“Today, we take an important step towards enhancing the educational experiences of our learners, and this new building is a testament to our commitment to this cause. The school building is more than just bricks and mortar, it represents hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for our children”, he asserted.
The Municipal Director of Education asked for a closer partnership among the traditional, community leaders and the teachers to periodically inspect the structure and the premises to identify issues for prompt maintenance so as to keep for many years to serve the donors’ intention of providing a congenial environment for quality teaching and learning for the desired outcomes.
He said, “permit me to make this Clarion call to our community leaders, teachers, the learners and all those who matter to ensure that these facilities serve our community for many years to come. I urge everyone to take good care of them. Implement security measures to prevent vandalism and writing on the walls by children.”
Rev. Fr. Philip Agyei explained that, his gesture to seek support for the school was to give back to his alma matta in appreciation for how far he has come in life.
“As many of you know, I had the honour of attending school here and it was within these very walls that I received the foundation that helped shape me into the person I am today. Today, as a priest and a member of this community, it is my turn to give back”, he said.
The Chief of Hwidiem, Nana Omono Asamoah Agyekumhene, commending Rev. Fr. Agyei and his benefactors for the enormous support, announced a decision by the community to re-name the school after Francis Xavier in appreciation to the donors.
“The new facilities stand as a testament to your commitment to the betterment of our community, and for this, we are eternally grateful.your recognition of your profound impact and in honour of our shared values, my kinsmen and I have resolutely decided to the stewardship of Hwidiem M/A Basic School to the Catholic Church”, he announced.
In further appreciation to his gesture, the Hwidiemhene and queen mother presented documents covering one building plot to Rev. Fr. Agyei for his good intentions for development of the community.
They as well presented a plaque and citation to him and also to the benefactors in USA for their generosity.
The gender and social inclusion officer with the Centre for Social Impact Studies, Mrs. Dorothy Ofori, calls on state institutions and private organisations to provide more internship opportunities for women and girls.
In a statement to celebrate the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, Mrs. Dorothy believes that the growth of Ghana’s economy depends on the achievement of equality and that a more equal society cannot be achieved without making science friendlier to women and girls.
The Full press release is attached.
CeSIS CELEBRATES WOMEN & GIRLS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
Today is being marked as International Day for Women and Girls in Science. It is a day set aside to highlight the contribution of women to science in order to encourage more girls and women to take up careers in science. This year’s celebration is on the theme:‘’Unpacking STEM Careers; Her voice in science
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) enables individuals to be creative, innovative, problem solvers and think critically. This field has traditionally been seen as the preserve of men, although in recent times girls and women are making strides in that field. Globally, the ratio of women in STEM fields as compared to men is quite low. More women are therefore needed in the field to achieve equality which meets goal 5 of the SDGs.
Over the years, women scientists have made remarkable contributions to science. For example, Marie Curie helped to pioneer the use of radioactivity in medicine and was also the first female recognized and awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry. Another accomplished female, who happens to be Ghanaian, is Prof. Esi Ewuah, a Ghanaian researcher and a gender advocate who is known for her innovative research projects in engineering and science. We again have Quakyi Issabella Akyinba, a leading Ghanaian bio scientist and many other women.
Women naturally bring unique problem-solving approaches that contribute to a nation’s development by providing solutions to problems when given the opportunity. According to the UN, gender equality and empowerment of Women and Girls is not just a goal in itself but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security. Empowering women in itself can again help eradicate poverty
It is in light of the foregoing that Center for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS), a gender responsive organization proposes that a deliberate and conscious effort should be put in place to empower girls in the STEM fields. CeSIS proposes the following recommendations to government and other stakeholders.
Providing scholarships and internship opportunities for women and girls. Efforts
must be made to support them with scholarship schemes to lessen the financial
burden they grapple with. This will enable more women and girls in the field to
bridge the gender gap to support the growth of the economy. Opportunities
should also be given to girls in science to have internship opportunities in their
respective fields. This can help them gain more practical and hands on
experiences which they can use later in their careers
Admission quotas should be given to women studying STEM courses. This will
create the awareness that there are opportunities for women and girls in the
field and encourage more to pursue a career along that line. The passage of the
Affirmative Act should compel institutions to set out quotas for girls and women
in the field. This will ensure that women and girls who would otherwise have
missed the opportunity to pursue a course in STEM can still realize their dream. Assisting Girls with role models that connect them to STEM professionals. When
girls are provided with role models at early stages, it will help set them on the
right path. It will build their passion and interest in the field which can have an
effect of pushing more women and girls towards that STEM
CeSIS believes that the growth of an economy depends on how well equality is achieved and a more equal society cannot be achieved without making science friendlier to women and girls. On this promising occasion, we wish all women and girls in ‘STEM’and those who have the interest and intension of pursuing a career in science a very ‘’Happy International Day for Women and Girls in Science’’ particularly those living in resource rich areas of the world.
Robert Tanti Ali
Executive Director
For additional information and interviews, please call:
Mrs. Dorothy Ofori Danquah
Tel: 0541489202
Today is being marked as International Day for Women and Girls in Science. It is a day set aside to highlight the contribution of women to science in order to encourage more girls and women to take up careers in science. This year’s celebration is on the theme:‘’Unpacking STEM Careers; Her voice in science
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) enables individuals to be creative, innovative, problem solvers and think critically. This field has traditionally been seen as the preserve of men, although in recent times girls and women are making strides in that field. Globally, the ratio of women in STEM fields as compared to men is quite low. More women are therefore needed in the field to achieve equality which meets goal 5 of the SDGs.
Over the years, women scientists have made remarkable contributions to science. For example, Marie Curie helped to pioneer the use of radioactivity in medicine and was also the first female recognized and awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry. Another accomplished female, who happens to be Ghanaian, is Prof. Esi Ewuah, a Ghanaian researcher and a gender advocate who is known for her innovative research projects in engineering and science. We again have Quakyi Issabella Akyinba, a leading Ghanaian bio scientist and many other women.
Women naturally bring unique problem-solving approaches that contribute to a nation’s development by providing solutions to problems when given the opportunity. According to the UN, gender equality and empowerment of Women and Girls is not just a goal in itself but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security. Empowering women in itself can again help eradicate poverty.
It is in light of the foregoing that Center for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS), a gender responsive organization proposes that a deliberate and conscious effort should be put in place to empower girls in the STEM fields. CeSIS proposes the following recommendations to government and other stakeholders.
Providing scholarships and internship opportunities for women and girls. Efforts
must be made to support them with scholarship schemes to lessen the financial
burden they grapple with. This will enable more women and girls in the field to
bridge the gender gap to support the growth of the economy. Opportunities
should also be given to girls in science to have internship opportunities in their
respective fields. This can help them gain more practical and hands on
experiences which they can use later in their careers
Admission quotas should be given to women studying STEM courses.
This will
create the awareness that there are opportunities for women and girls in the
field and encourage more to pursue a career along that line. The passage of the
Affirmative Act should compel institutions to set out quotas for girls and women
in the field. This will ensure that women and girls who would otherwise have
missed the opportunity to pursue a course in STEM can still realize their dream. Assisting Girls with role models that connect them to STEM professionals.
When girls are provided with role models at earlytsages, it will help set them on the
right path. It will build their passion and interest in the field which can have an
effect of pushing more women and girls towards that STEM
CeSIS believes that the growth of an economy depends on how well equality is achieved and a more equal society cannot be achieved without making science friendlier to women and girls.
On this promising occasion, we wish all women and girls in ‘STEM’and those who have the interest and intension of pursuing a career in science a very ‘’Happy International Day for Women and Girls in Science’’ particularly those living in resource rich areas of the world.
Robert Tanti Ali
Executive Director
For additional information and interviews, please call:
Mrs. Dorothy Ofori Danquah
Tel: 0541489202
