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Six Teachers Arrested For WASSEC Examination Malpractice

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Examination Malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed the arrest of six teachers and invigilators for their involvement in various examination malpractices during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). John Kappi, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, revealed in an interview with JoyNews that these educators, along with a large number of students from both public and private schools across the country, were apprehended during the first week of exams.

“So far, we’ve arrested six teachers for multiple offenses,” Kappi stated. “As for the students, the numbers are overwhelming. We’re still compiling the data, and once we have the full list, we’ll release the figures.”

The teachers were allegedly caught aiding students by providing answers and engaging in other serious offenses. In certain areas, teachers were reportedly collecting money in exchange for assisting students in the examination halls.

Examination Malpractice

“We deployed monitors, and what we found was widespread malpractice,” Kappi explained. “Many students were found with foreign materials, and in some cases, teachers were writing answers on the board for students to copy.” Kappi assured that all those involved will face disciplinary action in accordance with WAEC’s rules and regulations governing the examination.

In a related development, Serwaa Nyarko Senior High School in the Ashanti region has reported that three of its students failed to sit for the ongoing WASSCE. Rev. Richard Benson, the school’s assistant headmaster, stated that one student had traveled outside the country, while the whereabouts of the remaining two are unknown.

Out of the 792 students registered at Serwaa Nyarko SHS, 789 are currently sitting for the exams. Rev. Benson also noted that no examination malpractice has been reported at the school, though he mentioned that some students were frequently leaving the exam hall under the pretext of using the bathroom, prompting the school to impose stricter monitoring.

As WAEC intensifies its efforts to curb cheating, students and educators alike are reminded that the consequences of examination malpractice can be severe, threatening not only academic integrity but also future prospects.

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Severe Flooding in Nigeria Displaces Thousands and Claims 49 Lives

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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flooding in nigeria

Over 49 people have tragically lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced following heavy rains that triggered severe flooding in Nigeria, especially the northeastern part, according to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA). The states of Jigawa, Adamawa, and Taraba have been particularly hard-hit, with NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel confirming that 41,344 people have been forced from their homes due to the rising waters.

This disaster comes as Nigeria is still reeling from the devastating floods of 2022, which claimed over 600 lives, displaced 1.4 million people, and ravaged 440,000 hectares of farmland.

“We are just entering the peak of the rainy season, especially in northern Nigeria, and the situation is extremely critical,” Ezekiel told Reuters, raising concerns about the worsening crisis.

flooding in nigeria

In addition to the loss of life and homes, the floods have destroyed approximately 693 hectares of farmland, a devastating blow to a country already grappling with soaring food prices and double-digit inflation. The situation in the farming sector has been compounded by farmers abandoning their land in the northeast due to ongoing militant attacks.

Nigeria’s government has warned that 31 of its 36 states are at risk of severe flooding this year. Ezekiel also highlighted concerns about rising water levels in the upper regions of the River Niger, warning that all of these factors are contributing to the current flooding crisis. “We’re starting to see the effects of the predictions we made earlier,” he said.

As Nigeria braces for more rain and flooding, the need for urgent action to mitigate the impacts on communities and the economy has never been more pressing.

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NDC Manifesto: 5 Key Promises Of The Party Highlighted

By
Ivy Hollys
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President John Mahama on family values bill
NDC flagbearer:John Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in his 2024 manifesto has outlined several significant pledges ahead of the 2024 general elections.

These commitments, unveiled during the manifesto launch at Winneba in the Central Region on August 24, 2024, focus on education reform, anti-corruption measures, and land management.

Here are some key highlights of the manifesto:

1. Cancellation of the double-track system:

One of Mahama’s major promises is the abolition of the double-track system in senior high schools, a policy introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in 2018.

The system was implemented to manage overcrowding in schools due to increased enrollment under the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy.

Mahama has vowed to expand secondary school infrastructure and improve the implementation of the FSHS policy to eliminate the need for the double-track system.

2. Ban on family and appointees from acquiring state assets

Mahama has also committed to barring his family, including extended relatives, from purchasing state assets it elected. 

This restriction will extend to politically-exposed persons, appointees, and other public officials as part of a broader effort to combat corruption.

Mahama emphasized that his administration will launch a rigorous campaign against corruption and ensure that state assets are not improperly acquired by those in power.

3. Overhaul of the scholarship scheme

The NDC flagbearer in his manifesto pledged to reform the government scholarship program, which he claims has been compromised by state officials applying for benefits intended for the underprivileged.

According to him, under his administration, no government official or political appointee will be allowed to apply for scholarships.

4. Reopening of unresolved electoral cases

Mahama also has promised to reopen investigations into unresolved cases of electoral violence and related incidents, including the 2020 election killings, the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, and the murder of journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale.

He criticised the NPP government for its failure to address these cases and provide compensation to affected individuals. He pledged through the manifesto to pursue justice for victims and ensure accountability.

5. Commission of inquiry on State Lands

In response to allegations of misappropriation of state lands by the current administration, Mahama has said he is committed to establishing a Commission of Enquiry.

According to him, this body would investigate the alleged looting of state lands, particularly focusing on expropriated Ga-Dangbe lands.

The commission would be tasked with uncovering the truth behind these claims and making recommendations to resolve the longstanding issues surrounding public land management.

Credit: Ghanaweb

Dr. Amin Adam Warns of Forex Strain if Ghana Turns to Food Imports

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Dr. Amin Adam

The Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has raised concerns about a potential spike in demand for foreign exchange if the country is forced to import food due to the ongoing drought in Northern Ghana. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, August 26, in Accra, Dr. Amin Adam stressed that while there’s hope for securing the nation’s food supply, relying on food imports could strain the economy.

He acknowledged that the drought, which has gripped Northern Ghana for over two months, poses a serious threat to food security. The dry spell has stunted crop growth, leaving farmers worried about a poor harvest and raising alarms about food shortages across the region.

Dr. Amin Adam emphasized that importing food to make up for the shortfall would not only affect local food prices but also increase the country’s reliance on foreign exchange, putting further pressure on the cedi. He explained, “If we need to import food to stabilize the market and provide food relief, it could drive up inflation, especially since food prices make up a significant part of the inflation basket. And with the cedi already weakening against the dollar, additional demand for foreign currency could worsen the situation.”

The Finance Minister noted that he is yet to discuss the best course of action with Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong but highlighted that Ghana already imports a significant portion of its food. “The drought is already having far-reaching effects on the economy, and if we’re going to supplement our current food supply with imports, it will undoubtedly increase the demand for dollars,” he said.

Dr. Amin Adam’s remarks come as the government grapples with how to tackle both the drought and its potential economic fallout. The extended dry spell in Northern Ghana has left thousands of farmers in a precarious situation, with many facing the possibility of poor harvests and worsening food security.

In closing, he emphasized, “The drought’s impact will be felt in many ways, and its ripple effect on the economy is something we must prepare for.”

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Fire Outbreak at Job 600 Building

By
Ivy Hollys
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job 600 building

A fire broke out in parts of the Job 600 building in Parliament earlier today, Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 

While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the blaze is said to have caused damage to a storeroom. Smoke was also seen coming from the 10th floor of the building, which mainly serves as offices for parliamentarians.

Investigations are ongoing to identify the source and extent of the damage. Staff and workers were quickly evacuated to designated assembly points as emergency services tackled the situation to begin their inquiry into the fire’s origin. 

The Job 600 annex, which is close to the Parliament Chamber, was commissioned by President Akufo-Addo in November 2020 as part of efforts to address Parliament’s infrastructure challenges under the Parliament House Physical Infrastructure Enhancement Project.

Background

Job 600 was constructed to serve as the venue for the 1965 meeting of the Organization of African Unity. It is estimated to have cost more than £4 million. In 2007, the John Kufuor administration secured a loan facility of 25 million US dollars from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust for the renovation of the structure. 

The cost of the project was initially estimated at 62.8 million dollars. In 2011, the estimate for renovating the building was adjusted upwards by 39 million dollars.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo commissioned a 6-storey annex for the purpose of housing the extra activities of parliament. Inside the building is a 150-seat hall with a media room and archives in the basement.

The building also houses 54 offices: 11 offices for supporting staff, 26 offices for Parliamentary Support staff, and 36 offices for research assistants

Cedi Depreciation To Continue—Analyst Say

By
Ivy Hollys
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cedi depreciation
created by photogrid

The recent depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the major foreign currencies is expected to continue due to subdued foreign exchange liquidity.

Last week, the local currency depreciated across the major trading currencies as foreign exchange liquidity remained subdued.

Additionally, Ghana Cocoa Boards’s intention to abandon its annual cocoa syndication loan revived market uncertainties surrounding the cedi’s near-term stability.

Analysts also believe the recent coupon payments on Eurobonds by the government may have influenced Ghana cedi-funded foreign exchange demand last week, contributing to the cedi’s depreciation.

Last week, the local unit lost 0.31% against the dollar, 1.82% against the pound, and 3.76% to the euro on the retail market. It sold at GH¢16.28 to a dollar on August 26, 2024, taking its year-to-date loss to 24.57%.

Meanwhile, Ghana is expected to commence a 10-day Eurobond debt exchange this week in a bid to conclude the $13 billion Eurobond debt rework.

According to Bloomberg, the exchange will see investors swap their existing bonds for two new optional bonds, that’s the DISCO and PAR.

The DISCO option will offer investors up to a 37% haircut with two new bonds maturing in July 2029 and 2035 at an interest rate of 5%. The PAR option, on the other hand, will also offer investors interest rates of 1.5% on new bonds maturing in Jan 2037 without any haircut.

Analysts expect market uncertainties to improve after a successful exchange, which could reduce the strain on the cedi.

Credit: Joynewsonline

18-Year-Old Small-Scale Miner Sentenced to 5 Years for Stealing Mining Equipment

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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An 18-year-old small-scale miner found guilty of stealing mining equipment valued at GH13,400

An 18-year-old small-scale miner, Mohammed Razak, has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment with hard labor by the Tarkwa Circuit Court. Razak, from the Wassa Japa community, was found guilty of stealing mining equipment valued at GH13,400. He pleaded guilty to the offense and asked the court for leniency. However, justice took its course.

The prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, shared the details of the case with the court, which was presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu. According to the prosecution, both the complainant and Razak resided in Wassa Japa, within the Wassa Amenfi East constituency, and worked on the same small-scale mining site.

Barely a month ago, the complainant had to halt mining operations at the site due to a water shortage. He dismantled the mining equipment and left it on-site, planning to transport it to a safer location soon after.

However, the very next day, when the complainant returned to the mining site, he was shocked to find key equipment missing, including two pairs of crushers (top and bottom), two routers, hammers, a pump machine, shovels, and a woolen blanket—all worth GH¢13,400.

In a bid to track down the missing mining equipment, the complainant conducted his own investigation. His efforts led him to suspect Razak, who was eventually taken to the Wassa Akropong police station and handed over to the authorities. After questioning, Razak confessed to the theft and revealed that he had sold the stolen items to a scrap dealer in the Wassa Adiembra community. However, when the police went to recover the equipment, the scrap dealer was nowhere to be found.

This incident raises questions: How do communities safeguard equipment in vulnerable areas? Could early interventions have prevented this? While Razak now faces the consequences of his actions, his case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsibility and the long-lasting impact of choices. The complainant has since expressed hope that the missing equipment will be found and returned.

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Cocoa Farmers Demand Urgent Price Increase to GH¢6,000

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Cocoa Farmers Demand Urgent Price Increase to GH¢6,000 to Save Industry

The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association is calling for an immediate increase in the price of cocoa for the upcoming planting season. According to the Association, farmers are demanding nothing less than GH¢6,000, warning of serious consequences if their demand is not met as they grapple with some of the lowest cocoa prices in the sub-region.

In a recent interview, Stephenson Anane Boateng, the National President of the Association, stressed that Ghana’s cocoa farmers are facing immense challenges, which are pushing many of them to the brink. “Ghana has the lowest cocoa prices in the sub-region,” he noted, adding that various hurdles have made cocoa farming increasingly difficult for growers.

Boateng emphasized that the concerns raised are not politically motivated but are aimed at ensuring the welfare of farmers and boosting the nation’s economy. He highlighted issues like labor shortages and other operational difficulties that are making it harder for cocoa farmers to sustain their livelihoods.

During a rally and press conference held in Tarkwa, Boateng warned that if the government does not take immediate action to support cocoa farmers, the sector could face a devastating collapse.

Echoing these concerns, Nana Thomas Boakye, Huni Valley District’s Best Cocoa Farmer, painted a grim picture of the state of the industry. He revealed that many farmers who once owned vast cocoa estates are now struggling to make ends meet due to a lack of government support. Boakye urged the government to act swiftly, warning that the entire cocoa industry is on the verge of collapsing.

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Wassce 2024: Seven Students Denied Entry to Exam Hall Due to Lateness

By
Ivy Hollys
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labone shs students

Seven students from Labone Senior High School were barred from participating in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), today, Monday, August 26, 2024, due to lateness. 

The issue was brought to light during a visit by Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who toured the school to monitor the progress of the exams and extend his best wishes to the candidates.

Labone SHS Headmistress, Rejoice Akua Acorlor, expressed concern over the situation. She explained that the students had been thoroughly briefed on the exam regulations, which required them to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of each paper. 

Despite these instructions, some students arrived 1 hour and 20 minutes late, and as per the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) guidelines, they were not allowed to enter the exam hall.

Following reported lateness from some of the students during previous papers, the headmistress said school authorities had repeated warned the students. The headmistress emphasized her disappointment that some students could not take part in the examination.

“If it was 20, 30 minutes, and they have tangible reasons, we would let them in. These were some of the students who wrote their visual art papers and they kept coming late. We have spoken to them, we’ve cautioned them and today they came late with no reason, so it was difficult for us to let them in. As a mother of this school, I am not happy if all our students do not take part in the examination.”

Deputy Minister Rev. Ntim Fordjour acknowledged that examination rules are clear and stated that while he would like to understand the specifics of the incident, it is important for all stakeholders to adhere to the regulations. 

 He said, “The rules are very clear, and therefore I would want to find out the exact incident that happened and look for details of it before I can respond but there are rules to every examination and I will appeal that all stakeholders abide by that rule. So in this particular instance you cited, I will look into it.”

He noted that he would look into the details of the situation before making any further comments.

SML Contract: 5 NGO’s Sue Government Over GH₵1bn

By
Ivy Hollys
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court_SML contract

Five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have filed a lawsuit against the government, seeking to recover over GH₵1 billion paid to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML). 

The NGOs are questioning the legality of the payment and demanding accountability for the use of public funds.

Earlier this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructed KPMG to audit the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML. The contract aimed to enhance revenue assurance in sectors including downstream petroleum, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain.

KPMG’s audit uncovered significant irregularities, notably the GRA’s failure to obtain approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and Parliament before finalizing the contract with SML. These findings have sparked concerns about the contract’s transparency and legality.

In response, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Human Rights and Governance Centre, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have come together to file a lawsuit against the government. They aim to recover the funds and ensure proper oversight of public contracts.

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of MFWA, emphasized that the lawsuit is driven by a commitment to protect state resources, not personal motives. “”I think that, if anything at all, we would say that it’s based on some of the findings of the KPMG report that required that actions be taken to ensure that what is due to the state comes back to the state.

“It has nothing to do with being satisfied with the KPMG report. If anything at all, that gave us a little more insight into what we thought were the wrong things that were done in relation to the contract,” he said in an interview with Citi News earlier today. 

Braimah added, “We are a country that is supposed to be governed by law, and laws are not made for the beauty of having laws. Laws are made so that things will be done properly. Laws are made so that there will be equity, there will be fairness, there will be justness, and there will be accountability, and in our view, the award of the SML contract and the delivery of the contract had in our view a number of things that are at variance with the laws of our land, particularly and specifically relating to public procurement laws regarding parliamentary oversight and so on.”

“Essentially, we are saying that if these laws were breached, the right things must be done. If we’ve lost money as a result of these breaches, the money must be retrieved and sent back to the state. So essentially, we are saying the laws were not followed, monies have been paid, and those monies must be brought back to the state.” 

He reiterated the importance of holding public institutions accountable for their financial dealings.

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