Teachers and Invigilators to Face a Mobile Phone Ban During Exams – Education Minister Demands
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has called for a ban on mobile phone usage not just for students, but also for teachers and invigilators inside exam halls. Apexnewsgh reports The Minister announced the swearing-in ceremony of the new National Education Inspectorate Board, where he stressed the urgent need to clamp down on examination malpractice. “The idea of a student having access to phones in the examination room is a no-no,” Iddrisu declared. “Probably, we have to even review this concept to include the usage of phones by examiners and supervisors.” His statement comes amid growing concerns that some invigilators may be complicit in aiding students to cheat during exams. “In some instances of cheating, it may be some of them [invigilators] who are aiding the malpractice,” he said. “Therefore, we have to limit who can carry a phone into an exam room.” While acknowledging that some officials may need phones for logistical purposes—such as calling for exam papers or submitting urgent reports—the Minister insisted that any exceptions must come with strict enforcement. “I would have pronounced a complete ban on phone usage, but we have cases when examiners will have to call for exam papers or send a report,” he admitted. “However, we expect strict compliance and enforceability of this rule.” Iddrisu issued a stern warning, vowing that any invigilator caught facilitating exam fraud would face severe consequences. The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, with some educators welcoming the move as a necessary step to restore credibility in examinations, while others worry about practical challenges in enforcing the ban. As Ghana continues its fight against examination malpractice, the Minister’s latest directive could mark a turning point—ensuring that only pens, papers, and integrity enter the exam hall. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Rastafarian Student Oheneba Nkrabea Graduates from Ghana International School
Oheneba Nkrabea, one of the two Rastafarian students at the center of the high-profile Achimota School admission saga, has graduated from the Ghana International School (GIS), marking a significant milestone in his educational journey. The achievement is a testament to Nkrabea’s resilience and determination to pursue his education despite the challenges he faced. In 2021, Nkrabea and his fellow student, Tyron Marghuy, were denied admission. The school’s directive to cut their dreadlocks, which are an expression of their Rastafarian faith, sparked a nationwide debate on religious freedom and the right to education. The matter was taken to court, and in a landmark ruling, an Accra High Court ordered the school to admit the students, affirming their constitutional rights. Although the legal battle continued, with Achimota School filing an appeal, Nkrabea was awarded a scholarship to Ghana International School under the Article 17 Education Trust. The trust was established by alumnus William Hackman and four other parents to support equality and access in education. At the recent GIS graduation ceremony, the school’s CEO, Dr. Mary Asabea Ashun, hailed Nkrabea’s success as a moment of pride and progress. She described the decision to admit him as “wise and forward-thinking” and added that GIS would continue to champion inclusive initiatives. Nkrabea’s graduation stands not only as a personal triumph but also as a powerful reminder of the impact of resilience and the importance of standing up for one’s rights. His achievement serves as an inspiration to others who may face similar challenges, and it highlights the importance of promoting inclusivity and diversity in education. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
TEWU-GH Gives GTEC Seven-Day Ultimatum
The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), demanding the immediate reversal of a directive compelling traditional public universities to swear in representatives from the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union under the Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) onto their Governing Councils. The directive, issued by GTEC on June 18, 2025, formally recognized TEWU-TUC as the legitimate union to represent non-teaching staff on the governing boards of public traditional universities. GTEC directed all affected institutions to swear in TEWU-TUC representatives with immediate effect and to accord them full Council privileges. However, TEWU-GH has vehemently rejected the directive, arguing that it undermines union pluralism and breaches due process in labour representation. National Chairman of TEWU-GH, Sulemana Abdul Rahaman, stated that the recognition of TEWU-TUC does not invalidate the rights and relevance of TEWU-GH. “The bargaining certificate held by TEWU-TUC does not extinguish the legitimacy of TEWU-GH,” Abdul Rahaman said. “This directive is a violation of democratic principles and an affront to the autonomy of unions within Ghana’s labour ecosystem.” TEWU-GH has called on the broader labour movement to intervene and urged prominent labour leaders to refrain from divisive comments that may threaten unity among unions. “With respect for democratic and fair representation, we appeal to all comrades within the labour fraternity to advise brother Joshua Ansah to avoid statements that do not foster harmony at the labour front,” Abdul Rahaman said. TEWU-GH has vowed to resist what it sees as an attempt to marginalize its members and is calling on GTEC to reverse the decision or face further action after the seven-day window expires. The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, but it is clear that TEWU-GH is determined to protect its members’ interests and rights. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
GES Takes Steps to Resolve Salary Delays and Staff ID Issues for Newly Posted Teachers
The Ghana Education Service has announced that efforts are underway to resolve concerns raised by newly posted teachers who picketed on Monday, June 23, over delays in salary payments and staff ID issuance. The Ministry of Education has formally requested an extension of the expired financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance, which will enable the processing of salary arrears spanning nearly ten months and the issuance of staff identification numbers for the affected teachers. The affected teachers, who assumed duty in September 2024, have yet to receive full remuneration. Specifically, out of the 12,807 graduates recruited that year, 2,113 have not been paid despite being issued staff IDs, while an additional 582 did not receive staff IDs due to inconsistencies in Ghana Card details, SSNIT numbers, and instances of self-reposting. To address these issues, the GES has established a technical committee comprising representatives of the aggrieved teachers to improve communication and coordination throughout the resolution process. According to GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, “Significant progress has already been made,” and the Service is committed to resolving the matter. The GES is also addressing both immediate concerns and long-term reforms to prevent future occurrences. However, the GES cited challenges in stakeholder engagement, pointing to shifting leadership among teacher groups as a barrier to sustained dialogue. The Service is urging unified representation to improve communication and expedite the resolution process. A budgetary allocation has been made in the 2025 national budget to support payments to the affected personnel, raising hope for a resolution soon. The GES has assured the public that it is actively working to resolve recruitment backlogs and prevent future issues by addressing systemic lapses in the recruitment process. With the establishment of a technical committee and a budgetary allocation in place, the GES is optimistic about resolving the salary delays and staff ID issuance issues. The Service appeals to the teachers to remain calm and continue to engage with the Management to find a lasting solution to the problems. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Ghana Education Service Meets with Aggrieved Teachers
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has invited about 100 aggrieved teachers into a closed-door meeting in a bid to defuse growing tensions over months of unpaid salaries and delayed staff ID issuance. The teachers, part of the 2022 batch from various Colleges of Education, have been picketing at the GES headquarters in Accra since morning on Monday, June 23, demanding action on ten months of salary arrears and the failure to process their staff identification numbers. In a departure from standard protocol, the GES opted to meet not only with union leaders but also with a broader group of the affected teachers. Public Relations Officer of the GES, Daniel Fenyi, said the approach was to foster transparency and ensure all concerns were heard directly. As part of preparations for the engagement, Fenyi asked the media to temporarily step aside, assuring that a briefing would be provided after the meeting. The teachers, who number 784 and are drawn from all sixteen regions, say they have endured enough broken promises from the GES. “What wrong have I done? I have schooled for four years, served my country for a year, and passed my licensure exams. Is deciding to be a teacher my crime? Ten good months,” said Serwaa Korang, a nursing mother. Another teacher, Charity Amponsah, said: “We have put up with poor conditions of service, yet we have been denied payment for our services. Is it a crime to be a teacher?” Maxwell Adogo, posted to the North East Region, shared his struggles: “I reside in Ashaiman, but I was posted to Chereponi. I don’t have my staff ID yet, but I am the only new teacher who was posted to the school where I teach. It is not easy there. There is no potable water even to cook with. How will I survive without being paid?” The outcome of the meeting is expected to shape the next steps in resolving the protracted salary and ID issuance concerns. The GES’s decision to engage directly with the affected teachers demonstrates a willingness to listen and address their concerns. The meeting’s outcome will be crucial in determining whether the teachers’ demands will be met and whether the GES can find a solution to the crisis. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Government Approves Book and Research Allowances for Senior Members of Public Universities and Colleges
The government has approved the payment of Book and Research Allowances for senior members of public universities and colleges of education for the 2024/2025 academic year. Apexnewsgh reports According to a document seen by Citi News, academic staff will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance and $1,600 as Research Allowance, while non-academic senior staff will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance. The cedi equivalent of the allowances will be calculated using the Bank of Ghana’s average exchange rate of GHS15.47 to $1.00, covering the period from September 2, 2024, to March 28, 2025. The Ministry of Finance has directed that all claims submitted must be audited and validated by Internal Audit Units of the respective institutions before forwarding to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for processing and payment. Institutions are required to submit two copies of audited claims for both academic and non-academic senior members, using a standardized claims template. The directive is expected to trigger immediate submissions from institutions amid ongoing tension within the tertiary education sector over salary arrears, cost-of-living pressures, and outstanding allowances. Three key unions in tertiary education — the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) — have jointly threatened a nationwide strike if the government fails to pay their book and research allowances by June 13, 2025. The unions warned that the delay in releasing the exchange rate required to compute their book and research allowances has created “significant uncertainty and frustration” among members. They stressed that the allowance is a statutory obligation under their Conditions of Service, not a discretionary gesture, and that failure to honor the June 13 deadline will be treated as an official strike notice, triggering industrial action across all affected campuses. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Education Minister Wishes BECE Candidates Good Luck
As the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) kicks off today, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has extended a heartfelt message of encouragement to the over 600,000 candidates preparing to take the exams. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Minister Iddrisu described the BECE as a major milestone in the academic journey of the candidates and wished them good luck. The Minister acknowledged the significance of the BECE in the lives of the candidates, noting that it marks an important step in their academic progression. “Today is a significant milestone in the academic journey of these youngsters,” he said. “On behalf of the president, and on my own behalf as well as the people of Ghana, I want to wish them good luck and best wishes.” Minister Iddrisu urged the candidates to approach the exams with calmness and determination, stressing the importance of avoiding any form of malpractice. “A heartfelt encouragement to all of them and a reminder that they should remain calm, focused, and determined, and avoid all forms of examination malpractice,” he advised. The Minister encouraged the students to trust in the preparation they have made over the years, treating the examination as a normal test of memory and knowledge. “They should just consider it as a normal test of memory. They have been studying over the years because of this day, and they only need to put their knowledge, skill, and the confidence they have acquired to the test,” he said. With over 603,328 candidates sitting for the exams, Minister Iddrisu wished them the best of luck, expressing confidence in their ability to succeed. “I wish them the best of luck,” he added. The Minister’s message is a boost to the candidates as they embark on this critical examination. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
UER: 19,523 Candidates Set to Sit for 2025 BECE
The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is just around the corner, and a total of 19,523 candidates in the Upper East Region are preparing to sit for the exams. The exams, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 11, and end on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, will take place at 90 designated examination centers across the region. According to data from the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service, this year’s cohort comprises 8,842 boys and 10,681 girls from both public and private basic schools. While the high number of female candidates is a positive trend, the statistics also reveal a concerning issue. Twenty-one of the registered girls are heavily pregnant, and an additional 17 are already lactating mothers. The presence of pregnant and lactating mothers among the candidates has raised concerns about the challenges facing adolescent girls in accessing uninterrupted education. While officials have not disclosed specific support mechanisms for these girls, it is expected that school heads and invigilators will ensure a conducive and non-discriminatory environment for all candidates during the exams. The BECE is a critical milestone for final-year Junior High School students in Ghana, determining their placement into Senior High Schools and other second-cycle institutions. Regional education authorities have urged candidates to approach the exams with confidence and discipline. Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to provide necessary emotional and logistical support for their wards throughout the examination period. With proper preparation and support, candidates can navigate the exams successfully and secure a bright future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
UER: 21 BECE candidates heavily pregnant, and 17 are lactating mothers
A worrying statistic has come to light in the Upper East Region. Among the 10,681 female candidates set to write the exams, 21 are heavily pregnant and 17 are lactating mothers. Apexnewsgh reports This means that approximately 1 out of every 255 girls sitting for the BECE in the region is either pregnant or already a mother. While education stakeholders have praised the high female participation in this year’s BECE, the statistics on early pregnancies and teenage motherhood have sparked concern. The presence of these 38 girls highlights a growing trend that challenges efforts to keep girls in school and ensure they complete basic education uninterrupted. As the exams commence, education authorities have assured that all candidates, regardless of their condition, will receive the necessary support to write the exams under dignified and accommodating conditions. The exams will be administered across 90 examination centers in the region from June 11 to June 18, 2025. The numbers, however, remain a sobering reminder that while access to education is improving, the safety, health, and futures of many young girls in the Upper East Region still hang in the balance. With a total of 19,523 candidates registered for the BECE, including 8,842 boys and 10,681 girls, the region is taking a crucial step towards shaping the future of its young population. The situation underscores the need for sustained efforts to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls in the region. By working together, stakeholders can help ensure that these young girls receive the support they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Wahala: Tertiary Education Unions Threaten Nationwide Strike
Three key unions in tertiary education — the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) — have jointly threatened a nationwide strike if the government fails to pay their book and research allowances by June 13, 2025. Apexnewsgh reports In a statement issued on Monday, June 9, the three unions expressed frustration over the undue delay in releasing the exchange rate required to compute their book and research allowances. The delay has created significant uncertainty and frustration among members, as many depend on the funds to support academic work and research activities. Following a joint meeting on June 8, the unions resolved that while they are prepared to accommodate the late release of the exchange rate, they will not accept any extension of payment beyond September 2025. They stressed that the allowance is a statutory obligation under their Conditions of Service, not a discretionary gesture. The unions warned that failure by the government to honour the June 13 deadline will be treated as an official strike notice, triggering industrial action across all affected campuses. They urged the government to act swiftly to avert a nationwide disruption of the academic calendar and to protect the welfare of lecturers and the broader education sector. The unions’ ultimatum highlights the need for the government to prioritize the payment of the book and research allowances to avoid a potentially damaging strike. With the deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether the government will take the necessary steps to meet the unions’ demands and prevent a disruption to the academic calendar.