Some disgruntled National Service personnel have sued the National Service Scheme and its Executive Director, Mustapha Ussif, over the GH¢ 15 compulsory insurance charges.

The personnel say the deduction from their allowance is unlawful and unreasonable.

They are therefore asking the court to compel the National Service Scheme to cease the deductions which took effect from November, 2017.

A lawyer for the aggrieved National Service Personnel, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, told Citi News “They [personnel] have not authorized anybody to enter into an insurance contract on their behalf. An insurance contract must have a policyholder who should enter into a contract with the insurance company [but this did not happen].”

“Where is the insurance policy? Where is the contract?” he questioned.

Some National Service personnel have been up in arms over the compulsory insurance policy, which they say has been imposed on them by the National Service Scheme headed by Ussif Mustapha.

The personnel argued that, the decision to have the insurance program, was not made by them, neither were they consulted before its implementation, hence deductions must not be made from their meager allowances compulsorily.

NSS personnel petition CHRAJ over compulsory insurance 

Some National Service Personnel earlier this week petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), over the mandatory insurance package introduced for them by the National Service Secretariat.

According to them, the imposition of the insurance package infringes on their basic human rights since the decisions taken by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), does not bind all service personnel.

Service personnel agreed to ‘compulsory’ insurance – NSS Boss

The National Service Scheme’s head, Mustapha Ussif, has denied suggestions that the compulsory insurance package meant for all service personnel in the country is being imposed on the personnel.

He insisted that the personnel backed the insurance package, and even pushed the management of the Scheme to implement it. He said the National Service Personnel Association of Ghana (NASPA), the group which represents service personnel across the country, decided unanimously at their Congress to back the policy.

The insurance package

The NSS partnered with MTN and Glico Life Insurance, earlier this week, to launch the life insurance cover for the over 90,000 personnel.

This compulsory insurance package spearheaded by various insurance companies is expected to pay claims to service personnel who get involved in accidents in their line of duty.

The claims vary from GHc 15,000 in cases of death or incapacitation and GHS3,000 for cases of disability. As part of the insurance package, National Service personnel are entitled to a GHc 500 loan which is payable within six months.

NSS insurance meant to reward NPP financier – Kpessah Whyte

A former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Dr. Michael Kpessah-Whyte, had alleged that the compulsory insurance package is a venture to pay back a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) election campaign.

According to him, the insurance scheme may have been put together to reward the owner of a known insurance company, who supported the NPP’s campaign with GH¢1 million.
He is thus of the view that the policy is not in the interest of National Service persons, and that it constitutes “daylight robbery.”

NSS insurance scheme not a reward from NPP – GLICO

However, GLICO Life has denied allegations that its engagement with the NSS to provide an insurance package for National Service personnel, is a reward for the company because the owner was a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Managing Director of GLICO Life, Forkuo Kyei, in a statement to citifmonline.com said the allegations are unfounded as GLICO Life is part of five other companies offering the insurance package to the service personnel.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NSS Boss, scheme sued by personnel over ‘compulsory’ insurance appeared first on Ghana News.

The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership (GSGL) will now be known as the Accra Business School.

The new name of the school, according to its Founder and President, Bishop Titi-Ofei, reflects the school’s strategic direction and specialty in education provision.

“..the name change which was recently approved by the National Accreditation Board reflects our strategic direction and is an emphasis on our location, specialty, and specificity of our education provision. It is the completion of our evolution into a huge global brand,” he said.

The Accra Business School is a prestigious Christian Business School accredited to offer globally recognized postgraduate, undergraduate and professional programmes.

It is an affiliate of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, Ghana and Australian Institute of Business (AIB) Adelaide, Australia.

It is driven by a business education philosophy based on the principle that Business Education and Business Growth will result in Democratic Stability.

The School has collaborated with various stakeholders especially in business to develop its unique programs relevant to both the local and international market.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The 1995 year group of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School has renovated its alma matter’s Golden Jubilee clinic.

The year group officially handed over the facility over the weekend.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by the school’s headmistress, Lady Queen Asiedu-Akrofi, Ernest Owusu -Afari, the global alumni vice president, and Alpha Mfoafo Macarthy, the ’95 year group president.

“We decided to uplift the environment as our first contribution. This comprised replacing the windows, polishing the terrazzo floor, painting (including the roof), electricals, external works, landscaping, minor repairs and interior enhancements. This at a value of GHc 75,000. We have committed to this project, and will continue to support health delivery at the facility,” the year group’s secretary said.

“We thank the family of the 95 year group once again. We pray that they and their families enjoy good health and success. We urge all Odadees and Presecans to use the Odadee family’s website, odadee.net (which is another project funded by our great year group), and to contribute content for its sustenance,” he said.

In her acceptance speech, the headmistress commended the year group and the entire alumni family for maintaining such a vibrant relationship with the school.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Odadees’ 95-yr group renovate school’s Golden Jubilee clinic appeared first on Ghana News.

Indications from the government are that the students and staff of Kumasi Academy will remain in the school till response efforts to the detected influenza virus are completed.

Addressing Parliament on Friday, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said efforts are already underway in this regard while disease surveillance measures are being strengthened.

Initially, the Kumasi Academy was set to close down today [Friday] until it became clearer the health crisis in the school was brought on the pandemic strain of influenza type A, H1N1 2009 also known as Swine Flu.

The government is thus looking for support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide influenza vaccines for the students and staff.

The health crisis at the school has claimed four lives and hospitalized at least 32.

However, the outright cause of death of the four students of the school and the hospitalization of 32 has yet to be fully confirmed.

Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu

Mr. Agyemang-Manu added on the floor of Parliament that the government was going to rely on antiviral agents.

“We have procured already and we are in the process of procuring antiviral agents for case management. So far that is what has been used and it looks like it has succeeded in containing and treating the disease.”

“Aside from these, steps are also being taken to enhance school health at Kumasi Academy and there will be the strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures along with intensified sensitisation and public education,” Mr. Agyemang-Manu added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KUMACA students to stay in school over Swine flu fears appeared first on Ghana News.

A second-year student of the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region has died from a suspected case of meningitis.

The male student, whose name has been withheld, died at the Regional Government Hospital in Koforidua on Friday, November 8.

A total of four students at the Kumasi Academy have died in the last week from suspected Swine Flu with a further 30 being hospitalized.

Speaking to Citi News, the headmaster of Koforidua Secondary Technical School, Samuel Foli, noted that samples from the deceased student, have been sent to Accra for testing to confirm whether or not the death was caused by meningitis.

According to him, although the doctors stated that the symptoms presented could be likened to meningitis; they wanted a confirmation from the laboratory.

“…hospital authorities say the symptoms look like that [meningitis]. But they have now taken samples to Accra, so we do not have a confirmation,” he said.

The headmaster narrated that, a housemaster first noticed that the student was sick and looking pale about four days ago.

But when the student was confronted, he denied being sick. He later got very weak and had to be rushed to the government hospital in Koforidua.

Following the student’s death, Eastern Regional Health authorities have asked students at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School to remain calm.

There was relative calm on the school premises on Saturday, with students engaging in their regular activities when Citi News visited the school.

Some of the students had not even heard of the death of their colleague.

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By: Zoe Abu Baidoo & Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Koforidua Sec Tech student dies from suspected meningitis appeared first on Ghana News.

The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), has initiated moves to make secondary vocational and technical education more attractive to pupils in Junior High Schools, with the launch of a career guidance manual.

The manual is expected to help pupils with their career choices and outline opportunities in the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector.

With this launch, COTVET hopes to help pupils in JHS follow the right career path by understanding themselves, understanding the work of world, developing alternative careers and career preparation.

Dr. Emmanuel Adaklu, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) business school, who helped develop the manual, noted to Citi News that “this manual is supposed to provide them [pupils] information about all the careers in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and for now COTVET is championing this course and working towards the realization of it.”

He added that this manual will also serve as a guide for people who are not in the TVET or vocational education sector, to also know the available career opportunities in TVET.

Reducing unemployment

Also speaking to Citi News, John Mensah Annang, a research officer at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) of curriculum and research, lamented that the educational system does not give enough support to vocational education.

He said there is the need to give the vocational sector a new focus to help bring out the entrepreneurial skills in pupils to help reduce unemployment.

“We need to give the technical and vocational education and training a new focus so that at least the learners in our basic institution will acquire the needed skill that can re-position them in life,” Mr. Annang said.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post COTVET targets JHS pupils with career guidance manual appeared first on Ghana News.

A private company contracted by the Ministry of Education has carried out a fumigation exercise at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) following the suspected swine flu outbreak at the school.

The pandemic strain of influenza type A, H1N1 2009 also known as Swine Flu was detected in some students of the school and is believed to be related to the deaths of four students.

The exercise, which began on Sunday morning, comprises the general and viral fumigation of the school.

The fumigation will be followed by an intensive clean-up exercise of all buildings and the entire environment of the school on Tuesday.

The exercise covered all eight dormitories in the school, 45 classrooms the science laboratory, the dining and assembly halls, the kitchen, lavatories and the sick bay of the school.

Most of the students have left the school for their various homes, leaving about 45 students at present in the school.

The contractor in charge of the exercise and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OSCAPPA ventures, Oscar Osei Appau told Citi News that his outfit will ensure the exercise will be effective since the team is committed to fumigating every corner of the school.

“I believe that with this particular problem, every Ghanaian is concerned. Even though we do normal fumigation, viral fumigation, but for this particular one, in fact, it has included a number of deaths so every parent and anyone who is more concerned about the school knows the danger about this problem,” he said.

“I believe that by the time we finish, we might have catered for whichever virus that was detected to be the cause of the problem in the school. So we believe that after the work, our chemicals will work to perfection and normal schooling will continue.”

He also indicated that the general fumigation will cater for insects such as bedbugs and cockroaches while the viral fumigation will also cater for virus and bacteria.

Mr Osei Appau said although the chemicals used for the exercise are dangerous, the fumigated areas will be congenial for habitation after a period of two hours.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KUMACA fumigated over Swine flu fears appeared first on Ghana News.

Over 100 students of the Konongo-Odumase Senior High School (SHS) have been displaced after a huge fire engulfed the school’s boys’ dormitory on Saturday night.

The situation forced the students to spend the night in the school’s Assembly Hall.

The incident, according to fire officers in area, started in a room in the boys’ dormitory at about 7:45 pm and spread to other parts of the building.

Although no casualty has been recorded, the belongings of the students at the boys’ dormitory were reduced to ashes. The incident reportedly happened while the students had gone to study.

Konongo-Odumase Divisional Fire Commander, Emmanuel Richard Mensah who confirmed the incident to Citi News said his outfit has begun investigations to establish the cause of the fire.

“There was no casualty. At that time they were at prep so that was the fortunate aspect of the whole issue. A total number of 250 students occupy the whole block, but the number of students who were seriously affected is 100. Their belongings and everything got burnt.”

He indicated that the fire would have caused more harm if fire officers had not responded swiftly.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Fire guts Konongo-Odumase SHS dorm, displaces students appeared first on Ghana News.

The Akufo-Addo Administration plans to create another Director-General position within the Ghana Education Service (GES) which will focus on technical and vocational education.

The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, said the plans were well-advanced to ensure that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was well managed.

When appointed, this new Director will work alongside the current GES boss, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa.

Mr. Osafo Maafo made this known at the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the St Paul’s Technical School at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region.

He also revealed that he was Chairing a Committee tasked to see to the restructuring of technical and vocational education in the country.

“We are going to have two Director-Generals; one specifically for TVET services and one for normal education services. So all matters related to technical vocational education will be handled under the Director-General for TVET services,” he explained.

This move is envisioned to shift the emphasis of education from the grammar system to vocational education, Mr. Osafo Maafo stated.

“We want to shift the emphasis to technical and vocational education. That clear absence of that technical concept within the administration of education has cost us a lot because everybody is emphasizing grammar education because that is what we have emphasized in our structure.”

“We want a Director General for Technical Education Services so that the emphasis is there in the structure of the education and all TVET will work to its Director General,” he added.

Aside from this, the Senior Minister also charged Technical Universities to stick to their mandate of training technicians to bridge the unemployment gap.

He observed that “you go to every polytechnic is this country and you realise that they are offering degrees in marketing, personnel management and public relations all along the lines of grammarian schools. I am saying that is not their core business.”

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t to appoint Director-General for Technical education appeared first on Ghana News.

Fourteen students of the Tumu Senior High Technical School are assisting the police in investigate an assault on a male teacher of the school.

The students, who are currently on self-recognisance bail, are said to have assaulted the teacher, Mr Issah Ganiyu.

They appeared enraged when the 36-year-old teacher seized mobile phones from four of them after ‘lights out’ following an entertainment session, and went physical on him.

The district directorate of the Ghana Education Service is currently engaging various stakeholders, including the police, parents, traditional authorities and the political administration over the issue, following calls by a section of society to have the students dismissed.

Mr. Ganiyu, the teacher, is said to be recovering from bodily pains and physical injuries.

Police

The Police Commander for the Sissala East District, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Abanga, told the Daily Graphic that the students were all cooperating with the police in the investigations.

He said calm had returned to the school, but his men were still monitoring events closely.

He indicated that Mr. Ganiyu, who was the teacher on duty at the time the students assaulted him, had gone round the dormitories to ensure that the students were protected.

He said the teacher heard some students talking during his rounds, and it turned out that they were speaking on phone.

ASP Abanga said Mr. Ganiyu seized four phones from the students, but they did not take kindly to the act, and massed up in their numbers to attack him.

According to him, the teacher had to escape from the grips of the incensed students, some of whom were armed with sticks and other weapons.

He said the 14 were those identified by the teacher as having participated in the assault on him, although some sources within the school have told the Daily Graphic that the number that attacked the teacher could be more.

The post 14 Tumu SECTECH students in police grip for assaulting teacher appeared first on Ghana News.

The management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following a Saturday evening gruesome murder of an Old Vandal at Commonwealth Hall.

The management in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Stella Amoa, said the incident in no way threatened security or the safety of students on the school’s campus, adding that the two individuals involved in the bloody skirmish were not current students of the school.

There have been concerns about how old students or non-students of the University often find themselves mingling with current students in the school.

While extending its condolence to the family of the victim, who has been named as Martin Tweneboah Kodua, the school said it was saddened by the development.

It however said the school’s Careers and Counseling Center is on standby to counsel students who may have been traumatized by the incident.

Commonwealth Hall murder suspect faces court

Meanwhile, the prime suspect in the case will soon be put before court.

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Afia Tenge, has said the suspect will be put before court as soon as investigations into the matter are concluded.

The suspect, who has only been named as George, is currently in the grips of the Legon District Police assisting in investigations.

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, whose name was given as Martin Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

Below is the UG management’s full statement:

UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT ON INCIDENT AT COMMONWEALTH HALL ON DECEMBER 9, 2017 RESULTING IN A CASUALTY

Management has learnt with shock a gruesome incident that occurred at Commonwealth Hall in the early evening of Saturday, 9 December 2017.   One person who sustained severe injuries was rushed to the University Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries leading to his death.

The University is saddened by this and would like to extend condolences to the family of the victim.

The Police are investigating the incident and Management is expecting a report as soon as the investigation is completed.

Management wishes to assure members of the university community, alumni,  parents and the general public that the incident is an isolated case and no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.  Management would also like to state at this stage that neither the victim nor the alleged perpetrator are current students of the University.

The Careers and Counseling Centre is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by this incident.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

STELLA A. AMOA

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Our students are safe despite Commonwealth Hall murder – UG appeared first on Ghana News.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu Oduro, has said that the suspect in the murder case involving a former resident of Commonwealth Hall is not a student of the school whether past a present.

He has since advised the general public not to associate the incident with current students of the school.

“It is unfortunate. We extend our condolences to the bereaved family. We are assisting the police to investigate the matter. We’ve also assured the community that lives of the students and lives of the people on campus are not in danger or in any way affected by the incident,” he said.

Challenging claims that the incident occurred due to lax security on campus, the Vice-Chancellor said: “this has absolutely nothing to do with security on campus…we have ensured that there is maximum security.”

He added that “This has nothing to do with students, they are not students. The hall management is trying to look at it. They are meeting and they are also doing their own investigations but no one should try and drag our students into this.”

Status of suspect

Many have claimed that the suspect is an old student of the University of Ghana and affiliated to Commonwealth Hall, thus the Old Vandals, hence his presence and active participation in almost all events of the Hall.

However, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana says information available to him indicates that the suspect was never a student of the University.

When Citi News’ Caleb Kudah pointed out that suspicions were that the suspect was never a student of the school, the Vice-Chancellor said, “That is the information we have and it is absolutely true.”

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, Martin Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

The Police have said they will immediately process the suspect for court when investigations are concluded.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Old Vandal ‘killer’ has never been our student – Legon VC appeared first on Ghana News.

HFC Investments, a subsidiary of HFC Bank, has inaugurated a mechanized borehole for pupils of Manchie M/A Basic School, located in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The borehole, estimated at a cost of GHS19,000, was completed within two months to serve students and staff of the school.

The inauguration of the borehole project was witnessed by students and teachers of Manchie M/A Basic School, staff of HFC Investments, representatives from the Municipal Education Directorate, and the Chiefs and people of Manchie.

This is the second time HFC Investments is inaugurating a project in the small farming community. It is a follow up to the earlier project inaugurated for the school in 2016, which is a 3-unit classroom block.

The mechanized borehole, located on the school’s premises, means that pupils who hitherto walked several kilometers in search of water or joined long winding queues to fetch water at the limited boreholes (non-mechanized), will no longer go through this.

One of the pupils said, “We can now heave a sigh of relief. No more walking long distances, carrying buckets on our heads to fetch water. Now we can study better because we don’t have to use school hours to go in search of water”.

Peter Larbi Yeboa, General Manager, HFC Investments.

Speaking at the inauguration, the General Manager of HFC Investments, Peter Larbi-Yeboa, was confident that the mechanized borehole would go a long way to alleviate the plight of the pupils.

He added that the initiative was a staff volunteering project.

“This beautiful project you see here was financed through staff donations including other innovative initiatives undertaken by them to raise funds, and this kindness is highly commendable. But this gesture will not be a nine-day wonder. We will continue to positively influence lives in this community, no matter how small, Mr. Larbi noted”.

The Assembly member for the area, Benjamin Richard Akoto, the representative for the Chief of Manchie, Samuel Nii Omarboe , the Deputy Director of Finance and Administration at the Municipal Directorate, Miss Beverly Dansoah Bartels and the Headmaster of the school, Kingsley Adobah, lauded the initiative by the bank, and charged the students and pupils to ensure the  proper maintenance of the borehole.

Assembly Member for Sam-sam Electoral area, Benjamin Richard Akoto.

HFC Investments donates incubator to Keta Municipal Hospital

HFC Investments earlier donated an incubator and accessories worth over GHS30,000 to the Keta Municipal Hospital, in the Volta Region.

The 110-bed capacity hospital, is the second oldest in the region, and serves residents in Keta and its environs.

HFC Investments made this donation, after the only incubator in the neo-natal care unit broke down beyond repairs.

The short handing over event had in attendance, the Queen mother of Keta, Mama Tokornii, the Presiding member for the Keta Municipal Assembly, Richard Kwame Sefe, staff of the hospital including the facility’s medical Superintendent, Dr. Kwasi Asare Bediako among others.

Dr. Bediako thanked the bank for the act of kindness, and noted that the incubator could not have come at a better time.

“We are so grateful for this. We never saw this day coming, after the only one we had just broken down. Unarguably, this will reduce the deaths of premature babies at this facility.  Parents (especially the poor ones, don’t have to travel to the other cities again. This is simply a blessing’’.

Dr. Bediako

On his part, Peter Larbi-Yeboa, said this initiative was also staff driven, adding that the whole idea of giving back to society formed an integral part of the bank’s corporate culture and strategy.

‘’What is striking and worth noting about why we are here today is the degree of staff involvement in this instance. This initiative is an entirely staff led process from conception to delivery. And so it is not about wanting something back or showing to the world that we are good citizens – it is only because it is the right thing to do’’.

An elated Mr. Larbi-Yeboa said the entire staff of HFC Investments were pleased that their efforts had come to fruition.

‘’We are here today to share in the joy of the hospital and community. We only pray and hope that the incubator will go a long way to assist preterm or premature babies born at this hospital to grow up strong, and come back to contribute to Keta and Ghana”, he stated.

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By: Pearl Akanya Ofori/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post HFC Investments donate borehole to Manchie M/A Basic school appeared first on Ghana News.

The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Charity Sarpong, has confirmed that, a second-year science student of Koforidua Technical School SECTECH, who passed away over the weekend, died from Meningitis.

Denis Opare Saforo, died at the Regional Government Hospital in Koforidua on Friday, November 8, after a short illness which has now been confirmed to be Meningitis.

However, Dr. Sarpong refuted reports of an outbreak in the region, stating that the situation has been controlled.

“On Thursday, we got information about a case from SECTECH that had been sent to the Regional Hospital, and I think they were suspecting meningitis. The doctor who received the case, did all the necessary things, took all the necessary investigations including a number puncher, and did all the needed investigations while the 15-year-old boy was put on treatment,” she narrated.

“Unfortunately, he passed away the next day in the early hours of the morning which was Friday, but then the results from the test conducted indicated positive for meningitis, so immediately the Regional and Municipal Health Directorate were informed, and a team were immediately dispatched to the school where the assistant headmaster of the school and other teachers, were met at the school. So the student body were engaged in the necessary education by the health team on cardinal symptoms of meningitis and how to go about it.”

She added that “after the health education, they followed up to the dormitories to inspect the dormitories and identified 22 immediate contacts who were students, so these 22 students are being followed up to know and ensure that should they also develop such symptoms they will be picked up and given the necessary treatment”.

“I must say that currently, everything is calm in the school because we have given them the necessary support, they know what to look out for, they also have our contact numbers so that when there is something we will be immediately contacted for the necessary support. I would like to repeat that it is not an outbreak of meningitis. Yes; it is a positive meningitis case which has been treated the way it should be so this doesn’t mean it is an outbreak. I must say occasionally throughout the year there are cases of meningitis which we treat and majority of them recover and are healed, but it is unfortunate that our young boy could not make it”.

Koforidua Secondary Technical School

The death had caused some concern in the school as some students fear that this could be the onset of a disease outbreak, similar to the health crisis at the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region.

A total of four students at the Kumasi Academy have died from suspected Swine Flu with a further 30 being hospitalized.

However, Dr. Mrs Charity Sarpong added that the Regional Health Directorate is taking steps with the Education service to intensify surveillance and revamp infirmaries at all Senior High Schools within the Eastern Region, to enable them refer cases to hospitals promptly for immediate medical care.

“We have put in place necessary things to ensure that such a thing does not happen again, the school is also being supported to revamp its infirmary because it is one of the things we noticed that they needed to revamp it to make it very active so that any student who gets the slightest ailment would be referred to the infirmary and where it is necessary, he will be referred to the hospital in due time for the necessary treatment to be administered.”

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Koforidua SECTECH student died from Meningitis – Health Director appeared first on Ghana News.

The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), is advocating an insurance package for senior high school students nationwide.

The President of the council, Alexander Yaw Danso, who revealed this in an interview with Citi News, stated that an agreement with an insurance company to charge each student GHc 7.00 a term has been reached.

He also noted that the Ghana Education Service was in favour of their proposals.

Mr. Danso’s comments follow the suspect outbreak of swine flu that has resulted in four deaths at the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region.

A student of Koforidua Secondary Technical School also died from a meningitis infection over the weekend.

There were also concerns at the St. Martin’s Senior High School at Nsawam in the Eastern Region after over 20 students reportedly collapsed in the school over the weekend though medical officials have attributed the occurrence to panic attacks.

“For tragedies of this nature, you cannot prevent it. It started as something that you would say is normal, but it has developed to a stage that is a national tragedy,” he said of the recent deaths.

“We are in touch with an insurance company to insure our students for us at a minimum premium. Fortunately, the company is not only insuring the students. They are insuring the students and sponsoring parents and guardians as well, at a premium of GHc 7.00 per term.”

“The parents have accepted. We have written to the Ghana Education Service and they have given us the approval. The letter is there, and has been  copied to all the Senior High school heads, the Regional Directors and all that.”

“It’s unfortunate that the roll out didn’t come before this tragedy otherwise the families of the dead would have received some benefits and those on admission would have also gotten some benefits,” Mr. Danso concluded.

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By: Hafiz Tijani & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Health scare: PTA council pushes for insurance for SHS students appeared first on Ghana News.

There is the suggestion that the collapse of more than 20 students of St. Martin’s Senior High School at Nsawam in the Eastern Region could be attributed to panic attacks and not the onset of an outbreak of some disease.

The Medical Superintendent of the Nsawam Government Hospital, Dr. Kofi Ablorh said this would not be out of the ordinary for St. Martins in particular.

“We’ve seen a special trend with, especially St. Martins. Normally when they are about to start their exams, some of them are found in this condition. We think that exam phobia, something of that sort, but then there is nothing medically about this. It is the normal trend, especially with St. Martins. It is something that we have been seeing every year.”

The public is on edge at such reports following the suspected outbreak of swine flu that has resulted in four deaths at the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region.

A student of Koforidua Secondary Technical School also died from a meningitis infection over the weekend.

But Dr. Kofi Ablorh said the hospital’s investigations had shown that the reported cases were “nothing serious.”

“Yesterday [Sunday], in the evening up to this morning [Monday], we have had about 20 students from the St. Martin’s Senior High School. Most of them, about 18 of them came complaining of heartaches and some of them were reported to have collapsed. In fact, we did all investigations and we realized that there was nothing serious. All their vital organs were working. Everything was fine and within few minutes they were discharged. Yesterday [Monday], we had ten of them and this morning [Monday], we had ten.”

Insurance for students 

The concerns with student health have informed the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations’ decision to put in place an insurance package for senior high school students nationwide.

The council revealed to Citi News that agreement with an insurance company to charge each student GHc 7.00 a term has been reached.

The Ghana Education Service is also in favour of this move.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exam phobia possible cause of St. Martins student collapses – Doctor appeared first on Ghana News.

The post St Francis Xavier alumni donate GHc20,000 to school appeared first on Ghana News.

The University of Ghana Debate Team has been adjudged winners of the inter-tertiary debate on corruption organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) as part of this year’s National Anti-Corruption and Transparency Week celebrations.

They beat their counterparts from the Central University, Islamic University College, and Accra Technical Universtiy in the debate on the motion: “Which of these will you prioritise and why: The Special Prosecutor or Right to Information Law”.

The debate was held at the University of Ghana’s Balme Library Seminar Room on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 with over 200 guests in attendance.

The overreaching theme for the debate was “Empowering the Youth in the Fight Against Corruption”.

The aim of the debate was to raise awareness on corruption among the youth and engage them to suggest policy recommendations on how to curb the canker.

The University of Ghana was represented by Level 400 Political Science students; Emmanuel Gerald Arhin and Fareed Gombilla who advanced arguments for prioritizing as a matter of urgency, the Right to Information Bill.

They comfortably beat their opponents from the Islamic University College, represented by Abubakar Abdul-Aziz and Mohammed Osman Dogo with the argument that, the Office of the Special Prosecutor could not function effectively without access to information.

The UG team argued that, the best way to tackle corruption in the country was to pass the Right to Information Bill as the citizens would be able to hold those in public office accountable for their actions armed with relevant information.

They reiterated their stance by stating that, with a Right to Information law in place, corruption could be minimised and offenders brought to book.

Central University College, represented by Latifa Alhassan and Joshua Batsa Narh beat Accra Technical University represented by Richard Sirate and Obodai Bright.

Central University College emerged the first runners-up with Accra Technical University and Islamic University College in a tie for third place.

Despite the passage of the Special Prosecutor Bill, there appears to be a strong line of argument that, a Right to Information law still remains one of the key outstanding tools required to effectively tackle corruption in Ghana.

This, many observers feel together with the Special Prosecutor Law will ensure that the fight against corruption is successful.

The Debate was supported by the US Embassy in Ghana.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UG team wins IEA anti-corruption week debate contest appeared first on Ghana News.

The cause of the death is yet to be established.

The situation has reportedly caused fear and panic among continuing students.

This latest health scare comes on the back of the deaths of four students of Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region.

The pandemic strain of influenza type A, H1N1 2009 also known as Swine Flu was detected in some students of the school and is believed to be related to the deaths.

Aside from the four deaths, 32 students have also been hospitalised.

Respiratory samples sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research also indicated that there was an outbreak of an acute respiratory infection which the Health Ministry has since attributed as the cause of some of the deaths.

The whole student population had to be administered with antibiotics as part of a prophylaxis after which the school was fumigated

However, no definite cause of the student deaths has as yet been declared.

Another school that has had to deal with a health situation in recent days is the Koforidua Technical School, where a second-year science student who passed away over the weekend, was confirmed to have died from Meningitis.

However, health officials in both the Ashanti Region and the Eastern Region have insisted that they have contained the situation schools and have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring the safety of the students.

The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Charity Sarpong told Citi News: “I must say that currently, everything is calm in the school because we have given them the necessary support, they know what to look out for, they also have our contact numbers so that when there is something we will be immediately contacted for the necessary support.”

Addressing the outbreak in KUMACA, the Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, said: “So far so good. Since yesterday there has not been any new case and so far we have 11 students on admission. Three are on admission at the KNUST hospital. Komfo Anokye has one on admission. At Kumasi South hospital, there are five on admission and then Manhyia hospital, two on admission. There has not been any reported new case.”

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Damongo SHS: One student dead, 12 others on admission appeared first on Ghana News.

A Ghanaian international model, Victoria Michaels, has refurbished a dilapidated two-unit classroom block for the Afuaman Basic School located at Afuaman-Manhean, a deprived community in the Ga-West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The block, which has been expanded, includes a library equipped with modern books and learning aids.

The project was executed by the Africa Literacy Development Initiative (ALDI), a project launched by Victoria Michaels Foundation three years ago, to address illiteracy in rural or deprived areas.

The project focuses on transforming lives through proactive literacy developmental ideas.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held recently, Executive Director of ALDI, Victoria Michaels, said: ”At ALDI, we believe that every child in any part of Africa should have the right to quality education irrespective of how remote their location is”.

She was hopeful that the facility will help boost education in the area.

Prior to the foundation’s intervention, the school lacked basic learning materials.

The Headmaster of the Afuaman Basic School, Micheal Owusu, was grateful to the foundation for the project, saying it will help address various challenges including inadequate classrooms, classes under trees and absenteeism.

“We thank the Africa Literacy Development Initiative for the facility, which would take away a huge burden and impediment to teaching and learning in our school”.

He said thus pledged his support in maintaining the facility to benefit children in the community.

Mr. Owusu however appealed for more classroom blocks, computers, and a modern computer laboratory to enhance teaching and learning of Information Communication and Technology, to help enhance the quality education in the community.

The Victoria Michaels Foundation and the Africa Literacy Development Initiative (ALDI) through the hard work and commitment of volunteers across the country, have continued to identify marginalized communities and schools with a commitment to bring transformation to one school at a time.

So far, they have commissioned school projects in both the Greater Accra and the Northern Regions of Ghana, and are hoping that in the next 5 years, they can together with their partners deliver essential literacy and educational tools to at least 25 neglected schools and communities in all the ten regions of Ghana.

The Victoria Michaels Foundation is currently providing scholarships to less privileged individuals through the ALDI Scholar Program.

Victoria Michaels used the occasion to call on well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to support government efforts at revamping the education sector.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaian model refurbishes dilapidated KG block at Afuaman Basic School appeared first on Ghana News.