BECE Placement: 483,800 Students Assigned to SHS, 107,509 Yet to Be Matched
The Ministry of Education has officially opened the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) portal for students who wrote the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) The Ministry of Education has announced the official opening of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) portal, marking a pivotal step for students who sat for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This year, out of 590,000 candidates, a total of 483,800 students have been successfully placed into various Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS), and Technical and Vocational Institutions (TVIs) across Ghana. Deputy Education Minister, Clement Apaak, shared the news, highlighting the progress made in expanding access to secondary education. “I am happy to announce that the placements were released on September 17, 2025, at 8 pm, and subsequently, we informed all District and Regional directors. This is a remarkable milestone that reflects our collective progress,” he stated. He further broke down the figures, revealing that 248,038 of those placed are females (51.4%), while 234,783 are males (48.6%). However, 107,509 candidates (18.2%) could not be matched with their initial school choices, largely due to high demand for certain Category A schools. For these students, the Ministry has activated the self-placement portal, allowing them to select from available schools. Solution centres have also been set up nationwide to assist students facing challenges with the placement process. Deputy Minister Apaak urged parents and guardians to be vigilant, cautioning them against paying money to secure school placements. “Let me reiterate that placement is free. The Ministry of Education and the Minister [Haruna Iddrisu] caution all parents and guardians against paying money to any individual, be it a ministry official or a third party, for placement,” he warned. He encouraged anyone approached for such payments to report the incident immediately to the nearest police station or the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The opening of the CSSPS portal marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to providing equitable and transparent access to secondary education for all qualified students. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Lands Minister to Galamseyers: “Keep Off Our Rivers or Pay the Price
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, urging them to stop polluting Ghana’s rivers or face serious consequences Illegal miners operating along Ghana’s vital waterways have been put on notice. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has delivered a stern warning: cease polluting the nation’s rivers or be prepared to face severe repercussions. “We are sending a warning to anybody who has been violating our laws and destroying our water bodies. We are determined to turn them blue again. This order has already been given—stay out, or you do so at your own peril,” Buah declared during an anti-galamsey patrol with officers from the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) along the heavily polluted Ankobra River, stretching from Wiawso to Akango in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. Minister Buah emphasized that Ghana’s approach to illegal mining, especially activities in and around river bodies, is entering a decisive new phase. “We are moving to another major phase of our fight against illegal mining. There is no law in Ghana that allows anybody to mine in any river body,” he stressed. “Yet, our major rivers that are key to our survival are being destroyed.” He further noted that President John Dramani Mahama has directed security forces to take full control of all major river bodies as part of a robust new enforcement strategy. “In the coming months, you will see a new shift. President Mahama’s focus is clear—we are going to take direct control of every river body. There will be a clear occupation by our security forces on all the major rivers,” Buah stated. The message from the Minister is unambiguous: illegal miners must abandon their operations in Ghana’s rivers or face the full force of the law, as the government intensifies efforts to restore and protect the country’s precious water resources. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Act Now or Watch Ghana Perish”: Nyaho-Tamakloe’s Stark Warning on Galamsey
A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has issued a stark warning about the destructive effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, urging Ghanaians to take immediate action to stop the environmental and social devastation Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has sounded an urgent alarm over the unchecked spread of illegal mining, or galamsey, across Ghana. In a passionate statement, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe declared, “For years, I have spoken about the dangers of galamsey, and today I must speak again, louder and clearer: illegal mining is destroying Ghana, and we cannot afford to look away any longer.” Drawing from his own observations, he described the heartbreaking transformation of Ghana’s rivers, forests, and farmlands. “The Pra, Birim, Ankobra, and countless others have turned into lifeless streams of mud and poison. Communities that once drank clean water now depend on polluted, toxic rivers. Farmers who once tilled fertile land now stand on wastelands scarred by reckless mining,” he lamented. Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe warned that galamsey’s impacts extend beyond the environment, threatening public health and social stability. He pointed to rising cases of skin diseases, waterborne infections, and kidney ailments in mining zones, with pregnant women and children among the most vulnerable. “Communities in mining zones are now reporting rising cases of skin diseases, waterborne infections, and even new kidney cases, spread through the influx of transient workers. Pregnant women and children are drinking contaminated water, with long-term effects on their health,” he explained. The NPP stalwart also sounded the alarm on food safety, noting that toxic chemicals from galamsey have seeped into the food chain. “Fish, vegetables, and staple crops are being poisoned, creating a silent epidemic of food contamination. Ghanaians are unknowingly eating poison every day because of galamsey. This is not speculation—this is happening now,” he stressed. Describing galamsey as a “cancer destroying our country,” Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe blamed political interference, corruption, and selective justice for allowing the menace to persist. He insisted that the Ghana Armed Forces have the capacity to end galamsey swiftly—if only politicians would allow them to act without interference. To combat the crisis, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe proposed several urgent measures: declaring galamsey a national emergency, depoliticising enforcement, holding all actors accountable, restoring damaged land and rivers, providing alternative livelihoods for the youth, and ensuring transparency in licensing. He called on all Ghanaians, citizens, chiefs, journalists, civil society, and faith leaders, to speak out against galamsey, warning that “silence is complicity. Neutrality is betrayal.” Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe also appealed to the international community for tangible support and accountability, urging a united front in the fight to save Ghana’s environment and future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Poverty and Corruption: The Silent Killers of Democracy” Says Baba Kamara
ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, has described poverty and corruption as the “silent killers” undermining Africa’s democratic growth In a powerful address at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, sounded a stark warning about the threats facing democracy in Africa. Speaking through a representative, Kamara identified poverty and corruption as the “silent killers” eating away at the continent’s democratic progress. “Democracy cannot thrive on empty stomachs,” Kamara declared. He cautioned that when citizens struggle to survive amid high unemployment and hunger, while a privileged few blatantly loot public resources, trust in government erodes and disillusionment deepens. According to Kamara, this growing socioeconomic inequality creates fertile ground for instability, with frustrated youth increasingly turning away from democratic processes in favor of military interventions or authoritarian populism. Kamara called for a shift from mere rhetoric to decisive action in the fight against corruption. He emphasized the need for resources to reach ordinary citizens rather than enriching political elites, and warned that selective justice—where powerful figures evade accountability while petty offenders are swiftly punished—only undermines faith in the fairness of the system. Challenging African leaders to embrace true accountability, Kamara argued that the survival of the continent’s democracies hinges not just on holding regular elections, but on whether citizens feel their voices are heard, their rights protected, and their living standards improved. The event, hosted by former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, drew policymakers, civil society representatives, and democracy advocates from across Africa to discuss the timely theme: “Why Democracies Die.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Royal Nursing College Shut Down by GTEC Over Accreditation Issues
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the Royal Nursing College in Kumasi to cease operations immediately after the institution’s accreditation was found to have expired nearly four years ago The Royal Nursing College in Kumasi faces an abrupt shutdown following a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), which discovered that the college’s accreditation expired as far back as December 16, 2021. The order, outlined in a letter dated September 12, 2025 and signed by GTEC Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, mandates the college to halt all operations until it secures renewed accreditation from both GTEC and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This decisive action comes after a meeting held on August 28, 2025, involving college officials, GTEC, the NMC, and the Ministry of Health’s Health Training Institutions Unit. The Commission’s letter made it clear that Royal Nursing College cannot continue functioning as a tertiary institution until full compliance with regulatory standards is achieved. According to the directive, the college must immediately cease operations and collaborate with its mentor institution, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), to craft a teach-out plan for students admitted between 2021 and 2024. Admissions are to be suspended, and no new students may be enrolled until the institution’s accreditation is fully restored. Additionally, the college is required to submit comprehensive documentation for its staff — including appointment letters, CVs, and evidence of regular remuneration, to verify employment status. The Commission also instructed Royal Nursing College to address all identified deficiencies and provide verifiable proof of corrective actions taken. Only after a joint verification visit by GTEC and the NMC will the prospect of accreditation renewal be considered. GTEC underscored the gravity of the situation, urging that the matter be handled with “the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Revamped Tema Shipyard Back in Business After Long Dormancy
The Minister for Transport has announced that the Tema Shipyard, originally established by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to repair, maintain, and overhaul ships, has been restored to full operation after being non-functional for many years After years of inactivity, the historic Tema Shipyard has roared back to life, marking a significant milestone for Ghana’s maritime sector. The announcement came from the Minister for Transport, who revealed the restoration of the facility at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Wednesday, September 17. The revival of the shipyard, which was originally established by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to repair, maintain, and overhaul ships, follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama. This strategic intervention has transformed the once-dormant facility into a hub of renewed activity and innovation. As part of the comprehensive rehabilitation, the Shipyard has undergone several key upgrades: Dock 1’s main pump has been redesigned and reconstructed to improve docking times, Dock 2 has been reactivated for full operations, and the office facilities have been fully rehabilitated. These improvements have not only enhanced operational efficiency but have also created new employment opportunities for Ghanaians. In a move to further support the government’s 24-hour economy policy, the Shipyard has introduced a three-shift system, ensuring continuous operations and maximizing productivity. With these advancements, the Tema Shipyard is once again poised to play a vital role in Ghana’s economic development and maritime industry. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Gertrude Torkornoo Seeks Judicial Review of Removal from Supreme Court
A legal battle is unfolding at the High Court as former Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, challenges her recent removal from the Supreme Court. On September 1, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama issued a warrant removing Justice Torkornoo from her position, a move she now contends was unconstitutional. In her judicial review application, Justice Torkornoo argues that the process leading to her removal was fundamentally flawed. She maintains that the recommendation for her exit was linked to her previous role as Chief Justice—a position governed by a separate constitutional process from that which applies to the removal of a Justice of the Supreme Court. By conflating these two roles, Justice Torkornoo asserts, the authorities have undermined the constitutional safeguards designed to protect judicial independence. Justice Torkornoo’s legal challenge seeks a broad range of reliefs. Chief among them is an order of certiorari to quash the presidential warrant that effected her removal. She further seeks a declaration affirming that the President cannot remove any Justice of the Superior Courts except in full compliance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. Through this legal action, Justice Torkornoo emphasizes her commitment to upholding the constitutional protections surrounding judicial tenure. The outcome of her case is expected to have significant implications for the independence of Ghana’s judiciary and the processes governing the removal of its senior judges. Source: Apexewsgh.com
September 22, 2025, a public holiday to mark this year’s Founder’s Day
Ghanaians will enjoy a long weekend this September, as the Ministry of the Interior has officially declared Monday, September 22, 2025, a public holiday in honor of Founder’s Day. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, whose birthday falls on Sunday, September 21 this year. In line with the country’s Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, when a statutory holiday coincides with a weekend, the President may authorize the observance of the holiday on the following Monday. This year, President John Dramani Mahama, acting through an Executive Instrument, has directed that the nation observe Founder’s Day on Monday instead. The Ministry’s announcement, issued in a statement signed by Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, follows the 2025 amendment to the Act. The amendment clarified that any public holiday falling on a Saturday or Sunday is to be observed the next Monday, ensuring citizens do not miss out on a day of commemoration due to the weekend. This year’s Founder’s Day announcement comes amid significant changes to Ghana’s holiday calendar. Earlier in 2025, Parliament reinstated July 1 as Republic Day and introduced “Shaqq Day,” a new commemorative holiday following Eid-ul-Fitr. At the same time, August 4 was removed as Founders’ Day, and September 21, the birthday of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was restored to its historic status as Founder’s Day. With these changes, Ghanaians are set to reflect on the legacy of Dr Nkrumah and the nation’s founding while enjoying a well-deserved public holiday. Source: Apexnewsgh.com