NCPTA Warns Parents: Don’t Pay Unauthorized Fees for SHS Prospectus Items
The National Council of Parents-Teachers Associations, Ghana (NCPTA), has sounded a strong warning to parents of first-year Senior High School (SHS) students: do not pay GHS1,617 to EduPack PGL for prospectus items. This follows reports that EduPack PGL, also known as Prospectus Ghana Limited, has been urging parents to pay for a package, including a metal trunk, plastic chop box, Macintosh mattress, and pillow, for collection on SHS campuses. The company allegedly circulated messages via SMS, WhatsApp, and other channels, and is accused of invoking the name of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to legitimize their offer. In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the NCPTA clarified that the Ghana Education Service had not approved this arrangement, stating, “GES Management has NOT sanctioned, directed or authorized any parent to engage EduPack PGL.” The association instructed parents clearly: “DON’T PAY! We instruct all Ghanaian parents NOT TO PAY ANY MONEY OR BUY ANY ITEM FROM EDUPACK PGL.” The NCPTA emphasized that parents have the right to buy prospectus items from the open market, as has always been the practice. “Every parent retains the full and unqualified liberty to purchase prospectus items on the open market,” the statement added. The association also raised concerns about the attempt to force parents to buy items from a single source at a fixed price on school premises, calling it “illegal commercialization of school admission.” While commending the GES for distancing itself from the practice, the NCPTA called for even stronger action. They urged the GES to use its legal and administrative powers to warn and sanction any school heads who permit such sales, and to consider taking legal action against EduPack PGL and any entity allegedly misusing the GES logo to defraud parents. “Punish the real culprit so others will learn,” the NCPTA stated. Parents were also advised to stay alert and report any such incidents to the NCPTA Secretariat and the GES. The statement was signed by the General Secretary of the NCPTA, Gapson Kofi Raphael. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Three Companies Advance to Next Stage in Ghana’s 5G Spectrum Race
Ghana’s journey toward 5G connectivity took a major step forward as the National Communications Authority (NCA) announced that three companies have advanced to the next phase of the country’s 5G spectrum licensing process. The companies approved to proceed are Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana), Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana), and Goal Telecommunications Ltd. The NCA disclosed that it had received four applications for the highly anticipated 5G spectrum licences, covering the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz frequency bands. The submission deadline was 5 PM on August 27, 2026. Of the four contenders, Infrava Ltd was the only applicant not to make the cut. The selection process involved a rigorous Eligibility Review and Technical Qualification Assessment, where applicants were evaluated based on technical and qualification submissions contained in what the NCA described as Envelope A. In a statement released on Wednesday, September 9, the NCA confirmed, “Of the four applications received by the submission deadline of 5 PM on August 27, 2026, three applicants have qualified to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.” All applicants have been notified of the results, and reasons for disqualification were provided where relevant. The three successful companies will now move on to Stage 3 of the selection process, which will determine their final ranking and allocation of spectrum. The NCA clarified that “only the Qualified Applicants will proceed to Stage 3 of the selection process. Accordingly, the Envelope B submitted by the Non-qualified Applicant will not be opened.” As the process moves forward, the NCA will separately inform the qualified companies about the date, time, and venue for the opening and ranking of their Best Price Offers. The competition for Ghana’s 5G future is heating up, with only the strongest contenders left in the race. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Port Congestion, New Fees, and a Surge in Containers: The Story of Ghana’s Shipping Challenge
The atmosphere at Ghana’s ports has never been more charged. Shipping companies and their agents have received a clear directive from the government: begin collecting the approved GH¢720 Container Administrative Charge immediately, no exceptions. This hard stance was revealed by Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View. His position followed a recent court ruling that dismissed an attempt to block the implementation of the new fee. “Before we will agree, they will have to be collecting or charging the GH¢720 as we communicated to them before we can sit together with them,” Minister Nikpe stated, emphasizing that compliance with the directive is a prerequisite for any further negotiations. The GH¢720 charge, he clarified, is the regulatory ceiling for the Container Administrative Charge applied to all import and export containers, calculated per Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). Despite the firm approach, the government is keeping the door open for dialogue. Minister Nikpe assured shipping companies that discussions could resume, but only after they have started applying the fee as stipulated by the authorities. Meanwhile, a new challenge has emerged: an unprecedented surge in container traffic at Ghana’s ports. According to Minister Nikpe, container volumes have shot up by almost 100 percent, a level not seen in the past twenty years. This dramatic increase has led to significant congestion, especially at the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal in Tema. The congestion has caused delays in cargo clearance and put immense pressure on available terminal space. To address the bottlenecks, the government is taking action on several fronts. Efforts are underway to remove containers that have overstayed at the port, and shipping lines are being urged to evacuate empty containers that continue to occupy valuable space. In a bid to ease the pressure, the Railway Development Authority has been enlisted to temporarily move some of the containers to alternate terminals. Additionally, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has been instructed to acquire two more cranes to speed up cargo handling and reduce delays. As the shipping industry adapts to these new realities, all eyes are on the government and port authorities to see if these interventions will restore smooth operations and keep Ghana’s trade flowing. Source: Apexnewsgh.com