GHANA’S VICE PRESIDENT DR. ALHAJI MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA COMMENDS MTN FOR BUILDING 600 BED GIRLS DORMITORY FOR TAMASCO
MTN Ghana Foundation has officially handed over a fully furnished 600-bed dormitory and an adjoining house mistress’ bungalow to the Tamale Senior High School at a cost of GHc2.805 million. The new dormitory block is a two -storey building consisting of 21 rooms, washrooms, courtyard, laundry area. The facility will provide accommodation for 600 female students annually. The provision of the facility will help ease congestion and increase girls’ enrolment in the school. The house mistress’ bungalow comprises two bedrooms, living area, kitchen, toilet and bath. Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Tamale, the CEO of MTN Ghana Selorm Adadevoh said, “The MTN Foundation invested in this project because we believe that young girls deserve a wholesome and safe environment to study and for many more young girls to have the opportunity of a decent education”. “This year marks 25 years of Scancom PLC (also known as MTN) and it is exciting to mark our 25th year recognition with the opening of a 600-bed girls dormitory block that will no doubt change the lives of many of our young Ghanaian girls in the region,” he added. The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, who is an alumnus of Tamale Senior High School was the guest of honour. The Vice President in his keynote address highlighted the role the school plays in the region as the first Secondary in the northern part of Ghana and congratulated them for churning out great alumni who are contributing to the development of Ghana. The Vice President also commended MTN Ghana Foundation for completing the structure in good time. “I broke the grounds for the start of work on the MTN Foundation-sponsored 600 bed dormitory. I am happy to be part of its commissioning. This project will go a long way to ease congestion in the dormitories. TAMASCO is grateful to you.” The Headmaster of Tamale Senior High School, Rev. Edward Azika, expressed his gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for the project and promised that the facility would be put to good use by the girls. The project, which started in 2019 came at the request of the then headmaster who wanted a better housing facility to accommodate the increasing number of girls enrolled in the school. Tamale SHS is a mixed boarding educational institution with a total student population of two thousand eight hundred (2800), comprising one thousand six hundred boys (1600) and one thousand two hundred girls (1200). The handing over ceremony coincided with the official launch of the 70th Anniversary celebration of Tamale Secondary School. The dignitaries who attended the ceremony included the Zunglana Col. Rtd. Mahamoud Tahiru who was the Chairman of the occasion, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon Alhassan Saibu, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Madam Grace Jeanette Mason. From management and staff of MTN Ghana, the team was led by the CEO Mr. Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Ghana Foundation Board member Mrs. Nabila Williams, Chief Corporate Services Officer Mr. Samuel Koranteng and Acting Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Nii Adotey Mingle. As part of the 25th anniversary of MTN Ghana, the MTN Foundation will be handing over several other facilities to brighten the lives of Ghanaians. Education is one of three focus areas of the MTN Ghana Foundation. Since the establishment of the MTN Foundation in 2007, the Foundation has invested USD 13.5 million in 157 projects in its focus areas which are estimated to have impacted four million people across the country. Out of the total number of projects, the Foundation has invested in 87 education projects and they include ultra-modern technology laboratory for the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA), a six-unit classroom block for Nhyiaso Basic School and a three-unit classroom block and ICT Center for Mangoaso R.C Basic School. The MTN Foundation has also built ICT Centers for the Takoradi Technical Institute, Koforidua Technical University, Bunsu Agric University and the Assistive Technology Unit at the University of Ghana. The Foundation has also provided over 1,000 scholarships to needy and brilliant students across the country under its Bright Scholarship scheme. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
UER: Teenage pregnancy threatens girl-child education in Nabdam
Persistent increase in teenage pregnancy in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region is a major threat to girl-child education and women empowerment in the area. Stakeholders, who made the observation at a community forum at Kongo, said teenage pregnancy was compelling girls in the area to drop out of school while others were going into forced marriages. They, therefore, advocated a collective approach from parents and state authorities as well as organizations to help curb the problem and create a better future for improved girls’ education and women empowerment. The forum was organized by TEERE, a local Non-Governmental Organization, as part of its Local Government Forum. The forum is part of the “Women’s Voice and Leadership’ project being supported by Plan International Ghana with funding from Global Affairs Canada. It was held on the theme: “Women in decision-making in the community: why it matters!!” and brought together representatives from the Nabdam District Assembly, the Department of Gender, traditional authorities, parents and women, among others. Pognaab Elizabeth Atubiga, the Queenmother of Kongo Community, said recent records showed that teenage pregnancy was on the increase in the area and attributed the inability of parents to meet the needs of their daughters, compelling the girls to engage in transactional sex, leading to pregnancy. She noted that apart from parents disciplining their children appropriately, they also needed to create an enabling environment for the children to easily confide in them, especially regarding their sexual and reproductive health issues. Mr William Anamoo, the Gender Desk Officer, Nabdam District Assembly, said the increase in teenage pregnancy in the district was a big threat to women empowerment and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goals four and six which emphasise quality education and gender equality respectively. He, therefore, called for a multisectoral approach to ending the canker to empower girls and women to achieve parity. Mr Maxwell Babilo Banu, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, TEERE, explained that over the years, there was an inadequate representation of women in the decision making process at household, community and national levels because their educational and confidence levels were low. Mr Banu, who is also the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of the NGO, said the main objective of the TEERE Local Government Forum was to provide a common platform for citizens and practitioners in local governance in all districts in Ghana to actively participate in the decentralization process. He said TEERE was providing women in five communities, namely Pelungu, Kongo, Logre, Yakote and Zanlerigu economic empowerment through piggery, guinea fowls and livestock rearing, with support from Plan International Ghana. It was also embarking on gender awareness campaigns to empower women to participate in decision-making processes, he added. The Deputy CEO explained that when women were empowered economically to fend for themselves and their children and with adequate knowledge, it would enable them to contribute to bridging the gender discrimination among girls and boys. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Convert Binduri Community Day High School to boarding school– Zug-Raan appealed to government
As part of his request to the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government, the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Zug-Raan, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, has appealed to the government to convert the Binduri Community Day High School to a boarding school to help curb the incidences of pregnancies among the girl who, for lack of accommodation, are living in local houses and thus exposed to premature sexual activities with irresponsible men/boys. According to the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Network, teenage pregnancy cases among girls aged 10 to 14 in the region has increased from 103 in 2019 to 142 in 2020, representing a 38 percent increase Bawku Naba made the passionate appeal during President Akufo-Addo’s visit to his palace as part of his 2-day tour to the Upper East on June 21, 2021. “We would be grateful if you could make the Binduri Community Day High School a boarding school to help curb the incidences of pregnancies among the girls who, for lack of accommodation, are living in local houses and thus exposed to premature sexual activities with irresponsible men/boys. Similarly, I am appealing for the completion of the Community Day Senior High School buildings at Sapeliga, Pusiga and Garu that have been abandoned for some time now. This will increase the enrollment of our children, especially the girl child in the free senior high school programme”. However, President Akufo-Addo during his speech promised to consider his request. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Kebbi abduction: Student killed as troops engage bandits
The Joint Taskforce of Operation Hadari Daji in the North-West Zone on Friday engaged bandits who stormed a secondary school in Kebbi State and has rescued four students and a teacher. It was earlier reported that bandits struck in Kebbi State on Thursday and kidnapped some students and four others at the Federal Government College Birnin Yauri, Kebbi. However, the troops from Operation Hadari Daji have succeeded in rescuing some of the abductees. The Deputy Force Commander, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir, on Friday told reporters that the troops engaged the abductors in a gun battle, Channels reported. As a result of the heated duel in the early hours on Friday, the bandits were forced to abandon five students and a teacher. Sadly, one of the students who was unidentified later died, though no detail was given on how the death occurred. Abdulkadir said, “In the early hours of this morning, we came across the kidnappers. They came to our blocking point, and we engaged them. “At that point, they abandoned five of the students and one of the teachers. Unfortunately, I think we lost one of the students.” Punch Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
My son not in private school; apologise or face court —Education Minister threatens Daily Post Newspaper over defamation
Lawyers for Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum are demanding a retraction and an apology from the Daily Post Newspaper for allegedly publishing a material that has embarrassed their client. This follows a publication in the Daily Post Newspaper on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, that it sourced to a Facebook post from Nana Osei Poku, an employee of the Ministry of Education. In the publication, the Daily Post Newspaper insists that the Education Minister lied about not having a child enrolled in a private Senior High School. In a letter to the Editor of the Daily Post Newspaper, the lawyers are demanding an apology and a retraction while noting that the content of the publication on Tuesday has caused their client a huge embarrassment. “The false allegation made on the front page of your newspaper has caused our client, who is a seasoned educationist of high repute deep embarrassment, as it has lowered his standing in the eyes of right-thinking members of society,” parts of the letter reads. It concludes, “We hereby on behalf of our client, demand that you forthwith cease and desist from making any further false claims about our client’s son’s enrollment in a private SHS and further demand that you publish in the National Dailies a retraction of the allegation made in your Tuesday 15 June 2021 issue of your newspaper, giving it the same prominence as the original defamatory publication, and render unqualified apology to our client, failing which our client will seek legal redress without further recourse to you.” —Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Retired teacher shoots himself dead at Ekumfi Aburam
A Retired teacher, Emmanuel Abrokwa has shot himself dead at Ekumfi Aburam in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region Monday morning after returning from the farm. It is unknown what pushed the deceased to take his life. An eyewitness Samuel Acquah told Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan that not long after he saw the deceased returning home, gunshots were heard coming from the direction of the deceased room. Alarmed by that, he together with others rushed to the room only to find the retired teacher lying in a pool of blood with his life lying beside him. The deceased in his 70s who lives with his wife and children in the same residence shot himself in the stomach when his family members had left home. The body has been deposited at Saltpond Mortuary while Police have commenced investigation into the incident. —GhanaWeb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Achimota sch vs Rastafarians judgment: Journalists thrown out of courtroom
Journalists have been denied access to the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court which is about to give judgment on the case filed by two Rastafarian students who were refused admission by Achimota Senior High School. Ahead of the judgment on Monday afternoon [31 May 2021], the clerk of the court instructed everyone to leave the courtroom including journalists. Only the parties to the case have been admitted to court. Asked why journalists were sacked, the clerk in her response said, “I have been given a specific instruction.” Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Kweku Nkrabea have sued Achimota school for denying them admission because of their dreadlocks. The applicants are asking the court to declare that the failure and or refusal of the school to admit or enroll them on the basis of their Rastafarian religious inclination, beliefs and culture characterised by keeping their dreadlocks is a violation of their fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution, particularly Articles 12(1); 23; 21(1)(b)(c); 26(1)); and 17(2) and (3). They want the court to direct Achimota school to admit them with their dreads. Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Free SHS is good but must be reviewed – Educationist
An Educationist, Mr Samuel Ziga has called for a review of the Free SHS policy saying the policy in its current state is not sustainable. According to Mr Ziga, parents who are in the position to pay fees must be allowed to pay to ease the burden on the government and also help the government undertake some infrastructural development in the various public schools. The free SHS policy implemented by the Akufo-Addo led administration in 2017 has been blighted by several challenges including lack of desks, reduced contact hours and poor infrastructure to accommodate all the beneficiary students. But President on Saturday said the introduction and implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy has ensured that hundreds of thousands of young Ghanaians who, previously, would have had their education truncated at the Junior High School level, now have the opportunity to further their education. “The policy has reversed decades of exclusion, which denied, on the average, one hundred thousand young men and women, annually, entry to senior high school education because of the poverty of their parents,” the President made this known on Saturday, 29th May 2021, when the University of Cape Coast conferred an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership degree on him, at a ceremony at the campus of the University. Speaking on the Morning Starr on Monday, Mr Ziga said there must be a holistic and participatory review of the free SHS policy to make it better and sustainable. “The Free SHS policy, I’ve always said anyone who says it’s not good doesn’t want anything good for the country. But every citizen in Ghana knows that it’s facing challenges…For teachers who are teaching in SHSs, materials should be ready for them. We should give them free will. “When people talk about review, people look at it from a political angle because someone said when he comes, he’ll review it. We can’t continue that way. For me, payment of fee is not a problem but because they said it’s free, that’s why the government can’t come out. I think those who can pay should be allowed to pay.” Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
COVID: President Akufo-Addo to give his 25 updates on measures taken against the spread of COVID-19
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
UER: Students of Bolgatanga Sirigu SHS Protest Over Inadequate Infrastructure and Accommodation
Students of Bolgatanga Sirigu Senior High School has storm the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to register their displeasure over lack of adequate infrastructure furniture and accommodation to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning. They also expressed concern over the combined class for the final year students to have tuition for the core subjects while their electives will be taking care of later. Speaking to Apexnewsgh.com they lament the situation is affecting the final year students who sit in the classroom without observing the social distance protocol. “Since we came, there is no furniture for us to sit and looking at our population, they said 3 students per one furniture and they asked us to observe COVID-19 protocol. Now we are crowded and there is no enough classroom for us to sit”. They presented their petition to the Municipal Education Director Stella Estella Kyeebo in the presence of the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive Joseph Amiyuure Atura. Reacting to the petition Madam Kyeebo assured the students that the petition will be forwarded to the Regional Director for consideration. “You know that you did a wrong thing by taking the law or laws into your hands. You are aware that, the municipal director is there isn’t it? That is why you direct your petition to the municipal director. So, if you have challenges, why didn’t you come to me? Leadership could have come, if you hard challenges with your school or your teachers, you could have sent a delegation to the office. I have written several letters to Accra through the regional director about infrastructure of the school and they are working on it and we are following up”. She describe the timing for the protest as wrong and urged the students to employ other alternatives to seek redress Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093