Professor Akwasi Asabere, the Principal of the Methodist University College – Ghana (MUCG), has appealed to government to expedite action on the establishment of a National Research Fund to support researchers in public and private universities.

He said the current trend in academia had made it imperative for university teachers to have doctorate degrees which demanded serious financial commitments.

Prof. Asabere made the appeal at the 14th Congregation and the Graduation of 1,057 students of MUCG at the Dansoman Campus in Accra.

He said a number of candidates who were qualified to undertake the doctorate degree programme were unable to do so or were compelled to abandon the course mid-way due to financial challenges.

“Neither the university teacher nor the university finds it easy funding the research work associated with doctorate programmes,” Prof. Asabere said.

He called on stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of research such as industries, financial institutions and businesses to include in their annual budget provision of scholarships for postgraduate studies.

Nana Professor Osei K. Darkwa, the President of the Ghana Technology University College, and the guest speaker, said tertiary education in Ghana should have a strong linkage with the manpower needs of the country.

“The dynamics of our manpower needs, since independence, are indicative of the fact that Ghana today needs a new breed of graduates to man her economy,” he said.

Most Reverend Titus Awotwe Pratt, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Ghana, and Chairman of the Methodist University College Council, said the church would stand by the MUCG to ensure that it emerged as a university of distinction whose graduates bore sterling qualities to distinguish them from others.

Prof Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, said the MUCG was one of the emerging capable universities because of its footprints in the country’s history of tertiary education since it came onto the scene 16 years ago.

–
Source: GNA

The President of Family Health University College, Professor Yao Kwawukume, has urged government to empower private Medical schools to train more doctors locally, rather than sponsor them to be trained abroad.

According to him, this will help ease the cost burden on government, as well as ensure that doctors in Ghana are trained with an understanding of the country’s health needs.

Making a case for this assertion, he said although Family Health University College offered revision courses for foreign Trained Medical Doctors, they would want government to consider training more doctors home, rather than sending them abroad for training.

Prof. Kwawukume was speaking at a media interaction to introduce the school’s new graduate programmes to the public.

The National Accreditation Board recently authorized to the Family Health University College to run a Four (4) year Graduate Medical Programme.

The programme,  known as the ‘The Family Health Graduate Medical Programme (FGMP)’, will run parallel to the existing Family Health Medical School Programme which is affiliated to University of Ghana.

Professor Yao Kwawukume, who is also the former Chair of the West Africna College of Surgeons (WACS), said the four-year programme will be done in two phases of 18 months for the first part, and 30 months for the second part.

According to him, the school is poised to demystify the study of Medicine in the country, and for that reason uses an integrated modular system, on a semester basis as course credit system.

–
By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Professor Aba Bentil Andam, has been elected as the new President for the Ghana Academy of Arts (GAAS) and Sciences.

Prof. Andam will be holding the office for the next two years from January 2017 to December 2018.

GAAS at its 191th general meeting also elected into office 4 other executives and 6 members of Council to serve the two-year mandate.

Professor Aba BentilAndam, who is the second female to occupy the high office, is first recipient of the prestigious Chair for UNESCO Women in Science and Technology in Africa and an Associate Professor at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences of the University of Ghana.

The other executives are, Professor Kofi Anyidoho as Vice President of the Arts section; Professor Ablade Glover as honorary treasure and Professor Samuel K. Sefa-Dedeh as Vice President for the science section.

Professor Paa Kobina Turkson was also elected honourary secretary.

The Academy’s 6-member council is also made up of Professor Edward S. Ayensu, Professor Albert K. Fiadjoe, Professor Jonathan Aryetey and Justice Stephen A. Brobbey.

The others are Professor Kofi Opoku Nti and Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr.

About GAAS

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1959 on the initiative of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Its aim is generally to promote the pursuit, advancement and dissemination of knowledge in all branches of the sciences and the humanities.

With about 120 Fellows as Members of the Academy, it remains one of the key professional bodies that has made significant contributions to the country’s development especially in the areas of science and arts by making policy inputs though research.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has explained that the scheme could not pay the increased allowance of GH¢559 because the increment was not captured in the government’s November supplementary budget.

A statement issued by the scheme on Thursday [February 2], described as false, allegations that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had refused to pay the new amount announced by the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government before leaving office.

Some service personnel are up in arms after they received a January allowance of GH¢350 in spite of government’s announcement of an increased allowance of GH¢559.

The personnel earlier this week alleged that they suspect the new government intends to pay the old amount and ignore the decision of an increment by the previous government.

They threatened to hold a demonstration to impress upon the government to immediately effect the increment in their subsequent allowances, but a statement from the scheme on Thursday said the government had not taken any such decision.

“Management however notes with concern the various interpretations being given to the issue without ascertaining from the secretariat the facts of the matter. We wish to debunk the widespread speculations that the new administration has decided not to approve the increment of personnel allowances are false and must be disregarded by the national service personnel and the general public.”

“The said increment which was announced on 14th December 2016, were not captured by the November, 2016 supplementary budget,” the statement said.

It added that the new government is making considerations to make the increment reflect in the March 2017 national budget.

It further assured personnel that it will reflect the increment initially agreed upon immediately government announces it in the soon to be read budget statement.

It also called on personnel to remain calm as the scheme works to address the issues.

“Management wishes to state that the Scheme remains committed to the wellbeing of National Service Personnel. Management therefore humbly calls on all National Service Personnel to remain calm as we work tirelessly to address the issues.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

Old students of Achimota School have organized their monthly symposium dubbed: Achimota Speaks, to mark its 90th anniversary celebrations on the theme: A nation divided…that all may be one.” last Thursday.

The event took place at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra.

The symposium, which brought hundreds of the Old Achimota students together, had Akora Nana Dr. S.K.B Asante, Akora Dr.Joyce Aryee, Akora Samia Nkrumah, Akora Dr.Kwadwo Afari Djan and Akora George Andah in attendance.

Executive Vice President of Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Akora Yaw Nsarkoh, who was the keynote speaker, said the supposed development of Ghana is questionable.

In his view, Ghana is still undeveloped since it has been ranked second after Sudan in Africa for open defecation.

This damning statistics, the Unilever Ghana boss indicated as meaning that, three out of every five Ghanaians are subject to this demeaning and insanitary condition.

He quoted the Chief Officer at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to corroborate his claim.

“WASH estimates that Ghana will take 500 years to eliminate the practice due to the slow pace at which strategies, laws and interventions are being implemented. I am being deliberately provocative; on sanitation as in other matters, we are a people divided,” he stated.

Given this humiliating exposé, Mr. Nsarkoh said it is evident “we are an open defecation country (ODC).

“A pathetic outcome of the first order. I am being deliberately provocative; on sanitation as in other matters, we are a people divided. Some, the few, live in glamour; others, the many in fact, live in squalor” he added. Yaw Nsarkoh called on all key stakeholders especially in the sanitation sector to nib this shameful development in the bud. The monthly symposium is designed to share Achimotan thoughts on various aspects of Ghana’s national discourse. This is guided by the theme of the celebration to several fun and nostalgic activities that will serve as platforms to reunite long-lost peers, friends and family.”

–

By: Philip Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

In the wake of the death of six pupils at the Breman Jamra KG Methodist in the Central Region, the Ghana Education Service (GES), has ordered an  immediate audit of all school buildings under the service in the country.

According to the service, the audit is to assess all public school buildings to prevent another tragedy.

Six pupils of the Jamra KG Methodist died on Wednesday, after their dilapidated school building collapsed on them.

“That was the order the Director General of Ghana Education Service gave out to all the  District Directors and Regional Directors. He personally requested that they should liase with the District Assemblies because education is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders not only Ghana Education Service, they should liaise with the District Assemblies, they have technical officers who are the planning officers who can help them get all the necessary information that we need to be communicated  to the Minister in charge for him to take an action on these issues.”

“In actual fact, all indications show that, according to the Minister, we are taking stock of all our buildings and statistics of all things to make sure that this does not happen to any community in the country.”

Meanwhile the kids who were involved in the tragic incident have been laid to rest.

The Asikuma Odoben-Abrakwa District Police Command is currently investigating the death of the six pupils.

There are several schools in the country where pupils are studying in dilapidated buildings, some of which are death traps. In other cases, some children are also learning under trees.

 –

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

A dinning hall has been commissioned at the Tema Community 4 No. 2 primary school, to provide pupils of the school with a hygienic place of eating. 

The facility constructed by GTP is worth Ghc200,000. The dinning hall is a 200 seater-capacity canteen with chairs and tables as well as a kitchenette.

According to the headmistress of the school, Mrs. Grace Asiedu Danquah, pupils of the school over the years have had to struggle to get a place to eat after they are served with their meals.

This she said was source of worry to the school for which they wrote to GTP for assistance.

“Most of our pupils in this school have had to either eat their food in their hands or eat in their classrooms which is not right. So together with the Assembly Member and the PTA, we wrote to GTP for assistance and they wholeheartedly came to our aid.”

According to her, the facility will go a long way to help them as the facility can equally be used as a meeting place for the PTA. 

The Management of GTP on their part said the facility forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility which among other things is to provide assistance to the less privileged.

At a ceremony to open the facility, the Managing Director of GTP, Erik Van Der Staaij, said the company decided to assist the school due to the deplorable conditions under which it saw the pupils eat.

“Up till this day, the school children have no proper eating place. They eat in the open. The children sit on the staircases, stones and some even sit in the bare floor to eat their food. This was a cause of worry for us. The health of our children was at stake here,” he noted.

He said the project was funded by workers of the company as part of their contributions towards society.  He appealed to the school to make good use of it and ensure it serves the purpose for which it was built for.

Mr. Staiij noted that, GTP last year as part of its 50th anniversary, renovated and furnished the lye-in-ward of the Tema General Hospital.

The company has also donated over 15,000 bed-sheets and pillow cases to 20 public hospitals between 2013 and 2016.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The owners of the land on which the St. Joachim Junior High School was built in Kuyellingo in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, are demanding GHC40,000 land compensation before the School can be populated with students.

The six classroom block with offices and toilet facility completed in August 2016 and ready for use, is being locked up by landowners over financial complaints.

The landowners claim that, the Bongo assembly under the leadership of the then Chief Executive, Asampana Francis, had agreed to acquire the 8 plots of land at a total cost of GHC8,000.00, but the assembly has since not compensated them.

One of the land Owners, Robert Atanga, said, “In 2007, the assembly contacted us for the 8 plots of land to build a school, so we(the land owners) agreed with the assembly that they pay GHC8,000, that is GHC1,000 per plot. Even though there was no official written document signed between us, there was an oral agreement that the assembly will pay for the land, but after several years now the assembly has not paid us.”

“…So we are saying that, the cost of the land then is not the same today, so the assembly would have to pay the current cost for a piece of land which is GHC5,000, and so in all, the assembly will now pay us GHC40,000.00 before we will allow students to be moved into the school”

But the then District Chief Executive, Mr. Asampana Francis during whose term the land was acquired, denied claims made by the land owners adding that, the Assembly could not have entered into such an agreement to pay for land to build a school for the community.

“I did not at any point say the assembly was going to pay compensation to landowners for putting up such a school. How was the Assembly going to get GHc 8,000 to pay land owners, we don’t even have any written document to that effect, so at what point did the Assembly commit to pay these land owners monies especially when the school was a GETfund project”

On his part, the immediate past chief executive of the Bongo Assembly, Alexis Ayamdoor, confirmed to Citi News that, upon assumption of office, the land owners confronted him on the issue but he couldn’t have made any payment because they was no document to that effect.

Meanwhile, the Bongo District Director of Education, Duncan Nsoh, is appealing to both parties to allow the school to be commence whiles steps are taken to address the issue.

“If the school is opened, we would move the JHS students currently occupying 3 classrooms of St.Annes Kindergarten causing congestion and inconvenience.”

–

By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

12-year-old Lily Tugbah has emerged winner of the 2017 edition of the National Spelling Bee Championship.

The JHS 1 student of Solidarity International School in Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, beat 197 other spellers from across the country to win the ultimate.

At the grand finale of the competition in Accra on Saturday [February 4, 2017], Lily endured 7 grueling rounds of spelling.

Gabriella Ellis, 12, of Delhi Public School International and Ewoenam Afetsi, 13, of SOS Hermann Gmeiner emerged first and second runner-ups respectively.

The launch of this year’s competition, the 10th, since the maiden edition, was held under the theme, “Equipping the Ghanaian Students for the world stage.”

Dignitaries present included the Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh; US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson; and the General Manager for De United Foods Industries Limited, Mahesh Shah.

The 2016 winner of the competition in Ghana, Efua Ansah, who emerged 20th in the subsequent US edition as well as a delegation from the US Scripps National Spelling Bee competition were also present.

Lily Tugbah for her prize, received an all expense paid trip to the US to represent Ghana at the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

She also received a GHs10,000 scholarship from Indomie, GHs 10,000 Ecobank Junior Savers account, a trophy, Merriam Webster dictionary, a DSTV decoder and other prizes from sponsors.

The first and second runners-up, Gabriella Ellis and Ewoenam Afetsi also received an all-expense paid trip to South Africa, a DSTV decoder, vouchers for Blue Knights bookshop and other assorted items from sponsors.

The best 10 performing spellers received iLearn tablets, while each of the participating spellers were given certificates of participation and products from sponsors.

Speaking to Citi News,  Lily Tugbah said she was grateful to her family and friends for the support and was looking forward to representing Ghana in the US for the competition there.

She noted that she has in the past participated in the championship but did not succeed, however she was determined to win hence reapplying to enter this year.

The National Spelling Bee competition is being championed in Ghana by the Young Educators Foundation (YEF), an international NGO that seeks to improve the lives of the youth through literacy.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The former Member of Parliament for Yabaga/Kubori, Mustapha Ussif, has been appointed by President Akufo-Addo to serve as the acting Executive Director National Service Scheme (NSS).

A letter from the Presidency on Monday, February 06, 2017, said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Mr. Mustapha Ussif will take the office previously occupied by Mr. Kpessah Whyte, who exited following the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) defeat in the just ended general elections.

The former MP will serve in acting capacity until the National Service Board in consultation with the Public Services Commission confirm him as the substantive executive director.

President Akufo-Addo in his letter said, “pursuant to section 15 (1) of the Ghana National Service Scheme Act, 1980 (Act 426), I hereby appoint you to act as the Executive Director of the scheme pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the National Service Board, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

Authorities of  Chiana Senior High School in the Upper East Region, has appealed to government to as a matter of urgency to release the two-term feeding grants arrears to second cycle schools in the region, to enable them run the schools since the delay is crippling effective management of schools.

The Headmistress of Chiana Senior High School, Mrs. Margaret  Bobi, who was speaking at the school’s 25th Anniversary celebration on the theme “Promoting quality secondary education in the 21st century, the role of stakeholders” said, the delay in releasing feeding grants for secondary schools in the region, is making the running of the school difficult as suppliers are unwilling to supply them foodstuff.

“The grant for the past two terms have not been paid. As at now; we don’t have soap in our stores because suppliers are not willing to supply us on credit so what do we do?. We plead with the Ghana Education Service to as a matter of urgency impress upon the government to release funds to enable us settle our indebtedness to our suppliers.”

Mrs. Bobi added that, the school with a population of 1,434, has only 52 teaching staff, 1 typist, 38 non-teaching staff, and woefully inadequate teachers for General science, English, History and Home economics, thus affecting effective teaching and learning.

She called on government  to lift the ban on recruitment to enable them recruit more teaching and non-teaching staff.

Abandoned projects affecting Teaching and Learning

Mrs. Bobi said after 25 years of existence, the Chiana Senior High School is faced with infrastructure challenges. The school doesn’t have an  an assembly and dining hall, compelling students to have their gatherings and dining in the open.

The congestion at the Boys dormitory, has compelled management of the school to convert six classrooms into accommodation for the boys, compounding the problem of classrooms for students.

She appealed to the regional coordinating council to abrogate the contract of the contractor working on the boys dormitory project for abandoning the project for several years, and re-award it to a serious contractor to salvage the accommodation situation for the boys.

Mrs. Bobi also impressed on contractors working on the girls’ dormitory, administration block and dining hall projects that have stalled for some time now, to complete the projects in order to improve teaching and learning.

As a result of inadequate dormitories, metal beds for the school are left at the mercy of the sun, while some students ‘chop boxes’ are packed along the corridor of their dormitories.

Mrs. Bobi thus appealed to government and the contractors working on the projects to urgently complete them.

–

By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Professor Gabriel A Teye, Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), has stated that the creation of autonomous universities out of the UDS would collapse the university.

Some traditional rulers in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as other stakeholders in education, have been calling for the conversion of the UDS Campuses in Nyankpala, Navrongo and Wa into separate universities, but Professor Teye says it would not be in the best interest of the school.

He said what was important for the people in the three regions of the North, was to advocate the establishment of new universities in addition to the UDS, but not to create autonomous universities out the existing campus.

Addressing the third UDS Alumni Association National Delegates Congress in Wa, Vice Chancellor Professor Teye said the UDS was surviving on the numerical strength of its students since government’s subvention was no more forthcoming.

He said the module which the UDS had used to create campuses in the regions was now being duplicated nationally and internationally by other universities worldwide and that should serve as “food for thought” for stakeholders in education in the regions.

“The three regions of the North need new universities and not a piece of UDS. Having new universities will be more helpful than advocating the autonomy of the various campuses of the university”, he suggested.

Meanwhile, Professor Daniel A Bagah who shared a different opinion on the subject described the debate about the creating or not creating universities out of the campuses as “academic rationality as against political convenience”.

According to him, any contrary opinion would be subjected to political brushes, saying: “Political convenience is dominant”.

Professor Bagah, who was the guest speaker at the event, said the UDS would not die but would continue to exist if its campuses were converted into separate universities.

“Reflecting on UDS issues seriously, the autonomy of the UDS campuses as universities is a done deal”, he pointed.

Dr. Felix K. Abagale, UDS Alumni President, said the Association has assisted UDS in various forms including the extension of electricity to campuses, providing support for the establishment of clinics and contributing to the UDS policies to improve the image of the University.

He appealed to members of the association not be bystanders but be serious alumni helping to build the image of the University to provide quality academic performance and contributing its quota to national development.

“Let us be part of the University and participate actively on issues of the University to make it one of the best in Ghana and the world”.

Dr. Abagale urged authorities of the University to improve lecture halls, accommodation facilities, sanitation, general security and Information Communication and Technology among others in the University.

–

Source: GNA

Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, MP for Manhyia South, has hit the ground running with a project that could see as many as 10,000 young Ghanaians being equipped annually in various modern engineering disciplines.

This is in line with President Akufo-Addo’s program to prioritize technical education to offer the youth employable skills in line with his vision on industrialization.

The Minister of Education has therefore reactivated a project to build and equip laboratories in various technical institutions across the country.

The project will involve the construction of buildings, and the supply and installation of equipment on various campuses.

The new government, determined to get the best deal for Ghana, has reopened negotiations on the contract signed to take off under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

The project by Avic International Holding Company, will be funded by a $119.1 million credit facility by the Exim Bank of China, at an annual interest rate of 2%, with the Ghana Government providing counterpart funding of $7.8 million.

But, the New Patriotic Party government has raised concerns about the cost of the project. President Akufo-Addo gave a manifesto promise to continue or revive projects that can be beneficial to the country, whether it was started by the NDC or stalled by them.

“…But in so doing, our aim is to make sure that any such project passes the value for money test,” the Education Minister stressed.

As part of negotiations between Avic International, the Chinese multinational company, and the Government of Ghana, led by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Education, already some estimated $16 million savings have been made on the $119 million project, plus the supply of spare parts being extended to cover 5 years, instead of 2.

But, Government is still pushing for more, as they await a value for money audit commissioned by the Ministry of Finance.
The project for the rehabilitation and upgrading of equipment, will set up five sets of laboratories across various institutions.

These are (i) electrical and electronic laboratory (ii) mechanical engineering laboratory (iii) civil engineering laboratory (iv) automotive repair engineering laboratory and (v) welding engineering laboratory.

In line with this, the new Minister of Education paid a working visit Monday to Nairobi, Kenya, where a similar project has been successfully implemented through a Kenya-China facility.

The Technical University of Kenya boasts arguably of the best equipped technical institutes in Sub-Saharan Africa, with state of the art electrical engineering equipment and advanced mechanical engineering machine tools.

Collaboration between African universities

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr-Ing Francis W O Aduol, after the tour of the facilities, expressed great admiration for the quick action and positive attitude of the new Ghanaian government towards a project it inherited.

He also spoke about the need for technical universities in Africa to work together.

“The truth be told, there is very little collaboration between African universities. We usually look east or west outside of our continent. I really feel honored that you chose to come here and so early in your tenure. We want to build a long-term relationship with your institutions in Ghana,” he told the visiting Ghanaian minister.

The two men expressed keen interest about the need to create linkages between technical universities from the two countries.

In his remarks, Dr Opoku Prempeh, who is yet to start work fully behind his desk at the Education Ministry, said he chose to travel early to Kenya because the Avic project which began in 2010 in Ghana to upgrade technical institutions but yet to take off, calls for the new government to take an early but informed decision.

The delayed project is to build a Ghana Vocational and Technical Test Centre, upgrade 5 polytechnics (mainly technical universities now) and 10 technical institutes, offering teacher training and staff training for some 145 Ghanaians.

Since it is in line with the new government’s agenda to equip and improve such institutions in line with the manifesto pledge to create jobs and industrialize the Ghanaian economy, a decision must be made early.

Gov’t to review cost of project

Already, the new government has managed to cut down the implementation period of the turn key project by six months.

However, the new government has raised questions about the cost of the project and the Chinese company, “Avic, has shown admirable enthusiasm to have this renegotiated to meet the new standards set by President Akufo-Addo. What I think is great about this new approach of reviewing potentially good projects with the view to get the best deal is that it takes away the fear of the contractor that the projects may be abandoned and it gets a better deal for the Ghanaian taxpayer, as well,” Dr. Opoku Prempeh said.

Regarding this particular Avic International project, “The focus really is to expand the scope of the project so that it covers more institutions, so that we can train more students and, by so doing, save the country some good money,” the Education Minister added.

In various meetings the Minister held in Nairobi, costs were compared, equipment and facilities were inspected, and issues with implementation were freely shared.

For instance, the Kenyans procured several state-of-the-art equipment, which were being under-utilized.

They are now looking at ways to commercialize the use of the machines by manufacturing tools for industry and training personnel for industry, as well.
The commercialization aspect is one area the visiting Ghanaian minister said his country would be keen to study.

The Minister also visited the National Youth Service, Kenyan’s version of the National Service Secretariat and the Youth Employment Scheme combined. There are also equipment supplied by Avic International have been commercialized generating income to cover retooling and maintenance costs.

Ghana’s Minister of Education secured a deal with the Kenyans to have trainers for laboratories to be built in Ghana travel to the East African country to be trained.

As part of the contract, the Ghanian trainers are to receive three months training in China. Experience from the Kenyans suggested that it would be better to divide the program and let the Ghanaians first receive part of the training in Kenya, where the English language and environment will be more familiar.

The Technical University of Kenya, a polytechnic converted in 2007, offers hands-on training to 10,000 students during day, and an additional 5,000 in the evening.

The East African country has 10 technical universities, 11 national polytechnics, and 76 technical training institutions.

In line with the Uhuru Kenyatta government’s manifesto pledge to establish one technical training school per one constituency, 130 new institutions are being built, which will provide five different workshops per school.

Kenya, which is the industrial hub of East Africa’s regional economy boasts of only 10,000 engineers with a plan to increase that number to 35,000 or more.
Like the Ghanaian story, Kenya is determined to tackle the disconnect between industry job requirements and skills set on offer from the schools.

“We have a shortage of engineers; graduates who can’t find jobs; and employers looking for graduates. It is this mismatch that we seek to correct because what this continent needs heavily today are people with degrees who can produce with their hands,” said the Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Kenya.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

President Akufo-Addo has appointed a former Vice-Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), USA branch, Fred Kyei Asamoah, as the new Executive Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET).

His appointment took effect from Monday, February 6, 2017.

Nana Akufo-Addo had earlier appointed Mustapha Ussif, as the the acting executive director of the National Service Scheme (NSS).

About Fred Kyei Asamoah

Mr. Asamoah is a pharmaceutical expect with experience, and of a proven track record in achieving results in drug design, public health, regulatory compliance and enforcement, policy planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, cooperate governance and strategic management.

He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at the University of Colorado, Denver Co, USA, having studied Public Health, Regulatory Compliance, pharmacogenomics/medication therapy management, diabetes education, ambulance care, hospital clinical practice, and drug information and management at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

He also holds Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA as well as Bachelor in Pharmacy (Hons) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Mr. Asamoah was the General Secretary of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Student Association from 1999 to 2000.

He has been recognized twice by CVS Health in 2015 and 2016 for “impact and contributions to service” due to leading team members in providing excellent service and being reported as having a positive impact on customer’s lives.

The former NPP Vice-Chairman, USA branch, is also known for providing training strategies and performance coaching techniques that were featured in a video utilized to train both existing and new employees for CVS Health’s in over 8,000 stores nationwide.

He is a licensed Pharmacist in Tennessee, Michigan and North Carolina. He also holds a Ghana Pharmacy Council License (PA 1880) and is a serving member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.

Prior to his appointment by the President, he was the Regulatory and Compliance Manager, CVS Health, Charlotte, North Carolina.

He also served as the Pharmacy Manager, CVS Pharmacy from 2007 to 2014.

Between 2013 and 2014, Mr. Asamoah served as a Pharmacy Research Associate at the Stanley Regional Medical Center, Albemarle, North Carolina.

From 2005 to 2007, he worked as staff Pharmacist at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

From 2004 to 2005, the pharmacy expert worked as the Programs Coordinator – Sub Saharan Aids Rescue, New York, New York.

In 2002 to 2004, Mr. Asamoah served as an intern at Edikay Pharmacy Limited, Kumasi where he was the Superintendent Pharmacist.

Mr. Asamoah when contacted on his new Appointment said he will work assiduously to ensure that the vision outlined in his political party’s manifesto (NPP) is achieved.

The party in its 2016 manifesto said it will use technical and vocational education as a tool for job creation.

To that effect, the former NPP Chairman, USA branch, said he intends to do things differently using all the appropriate approach to harness all the potentials in the sector to ensure that the President’s vision is achieved.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

Parents in Sunyani have expressed anger and resentment over unapproved fees, which continues to be charged by some public basic schools in the municipality.

The schools are collecting from them all manner of fees – maintenance, security, cultural, fence wall, computer and extra classes.

It was organized jointly by the Local Accountability Network – a group of NGOs working to promote education and health development, and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC).

The parents said they found it difficult to understand why school heads should collect from them such fees, when they had been receiving capitation grant from the government.

Mr. Kwadwo Adu, Organizer of the Baakoniaba Unit Committee, said it was disheartening to see children sent home by teachers for non-payment of the unapproved fees.

Some of them are not even allowed to write their terminal examination.

Maame Vida Siekoma, a farmer at Jato-Nkwanta, also complained about the situation where canes were used on children, who defaulted in the payment of those monies.

Pastor Emmanuel Owusu, Chairman of the School Management Committee of the Anglican cluster of schools in Sunyani, noted that, this had come about all because the government had not been releasing the capitation grant on time.

He called for an upward adjustment of the grant from the present GH¢ 4.50 per child, which he said is inadequate.

–

Source: GNA

World Vision International Ghana (WVG) in collaboration with World Bicycle Relief has provided 3,000 school pupils in the Kassena-Nanakana West District of the Upper East Region with Buffalo Bicycles to improve school attendance and learning.

The project under the Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme (BEEP) is aimed at providing relief to school pupils who commute long distances to school and end up missing morning lessons and eventually dropping out of school.

Fifteen selected primary schools from Mirigu,Sirigu and Kandiga area councils of the district are beneficiaries of the intervention.

The schools include; Amenga Etego, Anisore, Atiyorom, Father Morin, Kaasi, Kandiga and Gunnum schools. The rest are; Mirigu, Nyangolingo, Busongo, Kurugu, Mother of Mercy and Sirigu R/C  A and B schools.

Speaking on behalf of the Interim National Director of WVG Mr. Esperance Klugan, Field Operations Coordinator of WVG Madam Elizabeth Sagoe said, the intervention improvement attendance and learning of pupils commuting from far distance to school.

Madam Sagoe cited that, many children of school going age in rural and hard to reach areas of the district, who cannot commute long distances to school, drop out of school and those who make it to school, arrive late and tired to do meaningful academic work hence the intervention.

“The bicycles will complement activities of World Vision’s reading improvement in primary education project in the district by way of helping children who commute long distances to attend after-school-reading camps. This is not only motivate children to learn to read but will help to improve learning outcomes in general”

She appealed to World Bicycle Relief to support WVG extend the BEEP programme to other communities in the district and entreated parents and the trained bicycle supervision volunteers to ensure the success of the project.

For his part, the representative of World Bicycle Relief Mr. Micheal Veitenhans said, Ghana was the first to benefit from the BEEP project in West Africa, adding that, the vulnerable students’ will use to bicycle to access education to become responsible people in society.

Some beneficiary students told Citinews, the bicycles will salvage their plight of having to commute long distances to school and will from now attend school regularly and on time.

WVG has invested close to US$1.5million in the past nine years to support communities in the district with school infrastructure, water and sanitation facilities, providing teaching and learning materials as well as training teachers to improve quality education.

–

By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Twelve-year-old Gabriella Ellis of the Delhi Public School (DPS) in Tema placed 1st runner-up after over 12 hours of gruelling competition at the grand finale of this year’s annual National Spelling Bee contest, which was held at the Accra International Conference Center on Saturday, February 5.

Gabriella lost the ultimate prize – consisting of an enticing all-expense paid trip to Washington DC to represent the country at the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee (courtesy South African Airways), GH¢10,000 scholarship from Indomie, headline sponsors, GH¢10,000 Ecobank Junior Saver account, a glistening trophy, a Mariam Webster Dictionary, Blue Knights Bookshop vouchers, a DSTV decoder and other assorted prizes – to Lily M. Tugbah of Solidarity International School in Ashaiman.

Ewoenam Afetsi, 13, representing SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, placed third. For her prize, Gabriella Ellis received a DSTV decoder and an all-expense paid trip to the DSTV headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa (courtesy South African Airways), Blue Knights Bookshop vouchers and an assortment of prizes from other sponsors.

Speaking to the media after the competition, excited Gabriella disclosed how fulfilled she was to have come that far after she had failed to qualify for the National Finals last year.

“Everyone who comes here looks to be the ultimate winner, but I’m also proud of myself for coming this far,” she underscored.

All the nine other colleagues of Gabriella made it to Round 3 of the competition, which also involved an earlier written vocabulary test, as well as an oral round which came off at the Christ the King School in Accra.

Adam Koray Seidu, 11 years old; Akshaya Lakshika, 9; Dhirhaj Sahijwani, 12; Jeet Thakwani, 10 and Raj Thakwani, 10, advanced to Round 4 of the contest.

Both Adam and Raj emerged among the top 10 spellers at the event, cementing the school’s place as one of the best-performing institutions in the competition.

Raj, who made his debut showing at the finals, disclosed that he’s satisfied with his achievement, and looks forward to an improved performance next year.

Mother of Adam Koray Seidu, who was elated at her son’s improvement from last year (he was in the top 20), admitted that it had not been a rosy road to the top 10 spot.

“I feel really good…just that it’s been a lot of very hard work,” she said.

The glamorous 10th anniversary of the Spelling Bee, which was moderated by Joy FM’s Nathaniel Attoh, was graced by esteemed personalities, including Robert Jackson (US Ambassador to Ghana), Efua Ansah (last year’s winner and the country’s first finalist at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC), former Deputy Tourism Minister, Dzifa Gomashie; the Spelling Bee Team from the U.S; ace broadcasters Nana Ansah Kwao IV; Kafui Dey and Nhyira Addo.

Officials for this year’s event were William Nii Teiko Evans-Anfom (head judge), Nancy Keteku (pronouncer), Joyceline Coleman (pronouncer), Juliet Amoah (associate pronouncer), Apiokor Seyiram Ashong (associate pronouncer), Francis Doku (judge), Stella Kankam (judge), Evangelina A. Odue (national coach) and Emmanuel S. Afful (deputy national coach).

Mr. Mukesh Thakwani, Director of DPS International, Ghana congratulated teachers and management of the school for the training and knowledge they are imparting into the children and assured the school and Ghanaians that DPS International, Ghana will continue to invest in providing its learners with world class education that walks the extra mile.

–
By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The French and Bilingual International School will be holding its open day on this Saturday, February 11, 2016 from 9 am to 12 noon at its premises at East Legon.

The French and Bilingual International School’s open day will include a guided tour of the school a meeting between professional staff and prospective parents.

The school, also known as Lycée Français Jacques Prévert, is one of the 500 establishments of the AEFE network.

Student of the school recently, on January 28, paid a courtesy call on Citi FM to acquaint themselves with workings of a Ghanaian media house and engage some journalists.

It has 580 students from Kindergarten to 12th grade/SHS 3 consisting of over 30 nationalities. Lycée Français Jacques Prévert is also a member of the network of excellence of French schools abroad, unique in the world, and the network France in Ghana.

The Lycée Français Jacques Prévert follows the curriculum and schedules of the French Ministry of Education.

All the teachers undergo periodic training sessions to improve on their teaching methods.

The school seeks to provide students with a solid foundation in French, English, Spanish, sciences, math, arts, history, sports, economy among others, with an emphasis on strong analytical skills, oral communication, autonomy, sense of organisation and reasoning.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Education, has affirmed government’s commitment to make the learning and speaking of French at the basic level education compulsory.

He noted that although French was currently being offered in the Junior High Schools and was an option in the six programmes at the Senior High Schools, the results at the Basic Education levels remained a challenge.

Dr Prempeh said his during a meeting with a delegation from the French Embassy in Accra who paid a courtesy call on him.

He said government had embraced the teaching and learning of French as the second foreign language studied in the educational institutions in addition to English, the official language, and the vernacular.

“There was the need to redefine the country’s relations with the French government to promote the speaking and learning of French at the tender age” he added.

The Education Minister believed that if the country can get the teaching of French language at the basic level, there might not be the need to teach French at the public institutions because the foundation was strong.

Dr Prempeh thanked the Government and People of France for the continuous support towards Ghana’s educational improvement.

–

By: GNA

President Akufo-Addo has assured that his government will fully implement the free Senior High School (SHS) policy from September 2017.

According to him the implementation of the policy will cover the full fees of students who attend public Senior High Schools in the country.

President Akufo-Addo said the policy will ensure that Ghanaians who qualify for SHS are not burdened with financial difficulties.

The President gave the assurance while delivering a speech at the special guest of honour at the 60^th Anniversary celebration of Okuapeman School in the Eastern Region on Saturday, [February 11, 2017].

The free SHS policy had been a major promise by the Akufo-Akufo government during run up to the December 7 2012 and 2016 general elections.

Akufo-Addo said, government “will fund the cost of public Senior High Schools for all those who qualify for entry from the 2017/2018 academic year onwards… so that no one in Ghana is left in any doubts.”

“By free SHS, we mean that, in addition to tuition which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer lab fees, no examination fees, no utility fees; there will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals, and day students will get a meal at school for free.”

He further stated that, the “free SHS will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the high school level.  I also want to state clearly again that we have a well-thought out plan that involves the building of new public Senior High Schools and cluster public Senior High Schools”.

Speaking on the theme, “One Vision, Many Lives,” the President noted that a society that aims to transform itself into a modern, productive player in the global market needs an educated workforce; and that means it must get its educational policies right.

According to the President, the fact that “we have been unable to give all our citizens the education which has enabled the countries of the West and of Asia to thrive is the missing link in our economic development.”

We’ll motivate teachers to deliver

Nana Akufo-Addo said his government will ensure well-trained, confident and contented teachers to deliver quality education.

He said “the views of teachers will be sought on education policy, innovation, and implementation. Their professional development and needs will be treated with respect and we shall ensure that teachers’ salaries and allowances are paid regularly and on time.”

He also reassured trainee teachers that the government will restore their monthly allowances and that will be captured in the government’s first budget statement to be delivered in Parliament in March.

“My administration will also focus on the provision of incentives that will motivate teachers, and reward their hard work in the classroom. Government will collaborate with GNAT, NAGRAT, and other teaching associations to facilitate an affordable housing scheme for teachers. Teachers will be afforded the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications and we aim to make the teaching profession, once again, a proud choice,” he added.

Nana Akufo-Addo also promised to renovate and fully equip the Science Resource Centre of Okuapeman School.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana