MTN GHANA BRIDGES ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY WITH HANDS-ON TECH EXPERIENCE FOR 200+ STUDENTS
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fuelling interest in STEM and digital innovation. Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda. They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment, and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres. Students gained firsthand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily, offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience. Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.” Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning. ‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.” For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.” As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Upper East Region Prepares for 2026 BECE: Over 22,000 Students Set to Write Exams
The first Monday of May 2026 dawned with a buzz of anticipation across Ghana’s Upper East Region. In every town and village, families and teachers rallied around their young scholars as the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced the start of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This year, 22,326 candidates are preparing to take this pivotal exam from May 4th to May 11th, a crucial gateway to senior high school. The Regional Education Directorate has orchestrated this massive undertaking across 95 examination centres, ensuring that every district and municipality is included. For thousands of junior high school students, the BECE is not just another test; it’s a milestone marking their readiness to step into the next phase of academic life. Among the candidates, the majority, 19,381 students, hail from public schools, with the girls (10,994) outnumbering the boys (8,387). Private schools have also contributed 2,945 candidates, including 1,557 girls and 1,388 boys. This continued rise in female participation has been celebrated by education stakeholders as evidence of successful initiatives to empower girls through education. Bolgatanga Municipality stands out as the region’s academic powerhouse, registering 2,974 candidates spread across 14 centres. Not far behind are the Bongo District with 2,085 candidates and the Kassena-Nankana West District with 1,936 candidates. Other districts with strong showings include Bawku Municipality (2,038), Talensi District (1,577), and Bawku West District (1,499). However, the numbers also reveal significant variation. Builsa South District will send only 719 candidates to the exam halls, the lowest in the region. Binduri District and Bolgatanga East District report 1,036 and 711 candidates, respectively. In Nabdam District, every one of the 756 candidates comes from a public school, with not a single private school student among them. Meanwhile, the GES has issued a stern reminder to all candidates: discipline and integrity must guide their actions. The Directorate has implemented strict monitoring systems and warned that all forms of malpractice will be met with serious consequences. “Candidates are advised to remain focused, prepare adequately, and avoid any form of examination malpractice,” the statement stressed. As the examination week kicks off, the Upper East Region stands united in support of its young learners, hopeful that this year’s BECE will be a testament to both academic achievement and the growing opportunities for all, especially girls, in education. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bongo Beo Tankoo Assembly Member Issues Caution and Encouragement Ahead of 2026 BECE
The Assembly Member for Beo Tankoo Electoral Area in the Bongo District, Upper East Region, Hon. Akolgo Emmanuel, has delivered a heartfelt message to candidates, parents, and the community ahead of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). In his statement, Hon. Emmanuel described the examination season as a significant milestone marked by both anticipation and concern. He stressed the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for candidates, urging organizers and communities to refrain from hosting “pens down” parties, street jams, or alcohol-related celebrations . “Such unsupervised and inappropriate gatherings expose our children to considerable risk,” he cautioned, referencing a tragic incident in the district last year when two candidates lost their lives in a motor accident en route to a celebration. “No celebration is worth the life of a child,” he emphasized. Addressing parents and guardians, Hon. Emmanuel strongly advised against providing mobile phones to candidates, warning that it facilitates examination malpractice and undermines the integrity of the educational system. “Let us instill confidence and courage in our children to give their best effort, and desist from aiding them to engage in dishonest acts,” he urged. He also encouraged families to celebrate responsibly, suggesting modest family gatherings and moments of prayer over risky outings or alcohol-fueled parties. To the BECE candidates themselves, Hon. Emmanuel reminded them of the value of their lives and the years of effort they have invested in their education. “Say no to alcohol, reckless riding, and examination malpractice. Your true ‘pens down’ celebration will be receiving your results and progressing to Senior High School with dignity and pride,” he stated. He extended condolences to the families in Balungo who lost loved ones after last year’s final paper, hoping such a tragedy would never be repeated. Hon. Emmanuel concluded his message by wishing all 2026 BECE candidates in Beo and across the Bongo District the very best, urging them to write with integrity, remain safe, and make their families and the nation proud. “Your future begins now, protect it,” he affirmed. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GES Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Examination Malpractices
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has launched a nationwide campaign to combat examination malpractices, recognizing the growing threat such acts pose to national development and the integrity of the country’s education system. Mr. Richard Ayitey, National Examination Coordinator at the GES Headquarters, underscored the seriousness of the issue, noting a disturbing increase in incidents of cheating and fraud during examinations. “Examination malpractice is a criminal act, and this year, we will not spare anyone, be it a teacher, non-teacher, or any individual, who tries to undermine the examination process. It’s affecting our quality of education and drastically impacting student performance,” Mr. Ayitey asserted. He further explained that the prevalence of exam fraud has encouraged students to become complacent and less motivated to study. “When students believe they can rely on malpractice, it makes them lazy and less likely to develop the skills to become future writers or thinkers. This year, we want students to prepare properly and take their studies seriously.” To address the problem, GES is enforcing strict measures at examination centers. Only supervisors will be permitted on the premises, minimizing the risk of external influence or assistance to candidates. Supervisors and invigilators have also been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance to ensure incident-free and malpractice-free examinations. Razak Z. Abdul-Korah, Upper East Regional Education Director, described a recent stakeholder forum as part of the nationwide effort to raise public awareness and build consensus on solutions. “As of yesterday, eight regions had completed similar forums, and the rest will soon follow. This initiative is meant to mobilize collective action against exam malpractices,” he explained. The Regional Director emphasized that robust material and security arrangements are in place for upcoming examinations. He called on teachers, school leaders, and the wider community to take the campaign seriously and to help spread the message. “Certifying students whose integrity is in doubt undermines our entire education system. We must all play our part to tackle this menace.” The forum also featured collaboration with the police, who shared strategies to deter and detect malpractices. A multi-level monitoring team, including national and regional officials, will oversee the conduct of exams across the country. “Today’s engagement was impactful and has given us hope. However, it is crucial that the message reaches every educator and student. The media’s role in amplifying this campaign is vital,” Abdul-Korah added. Other educational stakeholders from both private and public schools also contributed ideas and pledged their support for the crackdown. With concerted effort from all parties, GES hopes to restore integrity and excellence to Ghana’s examination process. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
TEWU Urges Government to Address Security Staff Concerns at Upper East Workshop
Mr. Matthew Abeaba Abereniya, Principal Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) in the Upper East Region, shared insights at a recent workshop organized for educational sector staff, including new recruits. Mr. Abereniya explained that the workshop was designed to refresh participants on security matters and update them on new security issues affecting educational institutions. “This workshop is an opportunity for our members to cross-fertilize ideas, share security tactics, and discuss ways to manage their various associations more effectively,” he said. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, particularly in addressing challenges such as kidnapping, student abscondment, and unauthorized intrusions on school campuses. The TEWU officer highlighted that the union includes a diverse range of professionals, metrons, accountants, security personnel, supply chain officers, administrators, and others, who all benefit from such knowledge sharing. “From time to time, these groups come together to share ideas to improve their work and ensure the safety of students, staff, and property,” Mr. Abereniya noted. Representing the General Secretary and National Officers, Mr. Abereniya said his presence was meant to motivate and encourage participants, reinforcing the union’s commitment to their welfare. However, he drew attention to a pressing issue: overtime allowances. “The government has denied our members their overtime allowance for some time now, and they are becoming increasingly agitated. Their salaries are already meagre, and yet they risk their lives, sometimes braving harsh conditions, to protect school property and ensure safety.” Mr. Abereniya called on the media to help amplify the union’s concerns, urging the government to address the matter urgently. “We expect the government to expedite action. Our members deserve to be compensated fairly for their dedication and sacrifices,” he concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GES Releases Funds to Support 2026 WASSCE Practicals in Senior High Schools
In a move to ensure the smooth conduct of this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) practicals, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the release of funds to all Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) nationwide. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi. According to Mr. Fenyi, the funds are intended to cover the fees for the 2026 WASSCE practical examinations. He explained that the financial support is meant to fully cover all practical exams scheduled for the year, including the provision of required materials and other essential resources. “This payment ensures that all practical examinations scheduled for the 2026 WASSCE are fully supported, including the provision of the required materials and other essential resources,” the statement noted. GES emphasized that the release of these funds is to facilitate a smooth and well-coordinated examination process. By doing so, the Service hopes to enable students to focus on their academic work without the added worry of practical exam expenses, thereby lightening the financial load on parents and guardians. The Service also sounded a note of caution to regional, district, and school authorities, urging them to ensure that the funds are used strictly for their intended purpose. GES underscored the importance of efficiency and accountability in the use of these resources. To further promote transparency, GES assured the public that it would closely monitor how the funds are utilized throughout the exam period. “Management will continue to monitor the utilisation processes to ensure compliance and to maintain high standards in the administration of the examination,” the statement read. In closing, the Ghana Education Service expressed its gratitude to all stakeholders for their continued cooperation in advancing quality education and reaffirmed its commitment to creating an environment conducive to student success. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Professor Christian Agyare Emerges as a Top Contender in KNUST Vice-Chancellor Race
As the search for the next Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) heats up, all eyes are turning toward Professor Christian Agyare. Currently the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Agyare has steadily built a reputation as a formidable candidate, distinguished by both his academic prowess and his proven leadership in university administration. The selection of a new Vice-Chancellor for Ghana’s premier science and technology institution is no simple task. The process demands a leader with not only outstanding scholarly credentials but also deep executive experience in managing the complexities of higher education. In this high-stakes environment, Prof. Agyare’s profile rises to the fore. Since 2020, Prof. Agyare has held the rank of Full Professor, underlining his commitment to academic excellence. His research footprint is impressive: Google Scholar metrics, a global benchmark for academic impact, show he has amassed 5,059 citations. With an h-index of 36 and an i10-index of 84, his work is not only prolific but also highly influential, drawing attention from peers around the world. These achievements speak to his ability to secure research grants, break new ground in science, and elevate KNUST’s reputation on the international stage. Yet Prof. Agyare’s appeal extends well beyond research. As Provost of the College of Health Sciences since 2020, and now, as the Senior Most Provost since 2024, he has played a pivotal role in shaping KNUST’s academic and administrative direction. His leadership journey includes serving as Head/Dean of the Quality Assurance and Planning Office, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and as the longest-serving member of the Academic Board since 2014. Each of these roles has deepened his understanding of university governance and policy. Prof. Agyare’s influence is woven into the very fabric of KNUST’s decision-making. He sits on all major statutory bodies: the Executive Committee, the Planning and Resources Committee, the University Appointment Committee, and the Welfare Services Board, among others. This breadth of involvement gives him a comprehensive grasp of both the opportunities and challenges facing the institution. As the University Search Committee intensifies its search for a visionary leader who can bridge academic achievement with operational efficiency, Professor Christian Agyare stands out as a candidate rooted in KNUST’s culture, but ready to lead the university into a new era of innovation and impact. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mahama Turns Egg Glut Into School Feeding Opportunity: “If We Can’t Sell It, Let Our Children Eat the Eggs”
When a trade disruption creates a crisis for poultry farmers, one president’s response is to feed it to schoolchildren. That, in essence, is the thinking behind President John Dramani Mahama’s latest directive, and it is a solution as practical as it is direct. President Mahama has instructed that the School Feeding Programme be used as a temporary outlet to absorb a surplus of eggs currently flooding the domestic market, offering struggling poultry producers a lifeline while putting nutritious food on the plates of Ghana’s schoolchildren. The oversupply did not emerge overnight. Poultry producers have been sounding the alarm over a trade disruption with Burkina Faso that has effectively blocked egg exports for more than two months. With a key export market shut off, eggs that would ordinarily have crossed the border have been piling up locally, driving prices down and squeezing the finances of farmers and distributors who depend on steady market access to stay afloat. The situation has been compounded by the success of the government’s own poultry development programmes, which have boosted domestic egg production. More supply, fewer outlets, the result is a glut that is hurting the very farmers the programmes were designed to support. Speaking during a citizen engagement at the University for Development Studies in the Northern Region on Sunday, April 19, as part of his “Resetting Ghana” tour, President Mahama acknowledged the crisis plainly and offered his response with equal plainness. “As I speak now, there’s a glut in the production of eggs. Poultry farmers are complaining that they can’t get a market for their eggs,” he said. His solution? Route the surplus through the School Feeding Programme, ensuring that the eggs reach children across the country rather than going to waste. “And that’s why I’ve said that we should find a way of getting the School Feeding Programme to absorb the eggs and give it to our children to eat. If we can’t sell it, let our children eat the eggs,” the President said. The directive is notable for addressing two challenges at once. For poultry farmers, it provides an immediate domestic market to ease the pressure of the glut. For schoolchildren benefiting from the feeding programme, it means a more nutritious meal. President Mahama also indicated that efforts are underway to resolve the underlying export impasse with Burkina Faso and restore market stability in the longer term, suggesting that the School Feeding intervention is intended as a bridge measure while diplomatic and trade channels are worked through. For now, Ghana’s schoolchildren may be about to find eggs on their plates a lot more often, and the country’s poultry farmers will be hoping that is exactly what happens. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Relief for GES Staff as Salary Arrears Dating Back to 2024 Get the Green Light for Payment
After months of waiting, thousands of Ghana Education Service (GES) staff are finally set to receive salary arrears that have been outstanding since August 2024. The GES has confirmed that payments have been approved and disbursements will begin in May 2026, bringing long-overdue financial relief to eligible employees across the country’s education sector. The approval follows clearance granted by the Ministry of Finance, which communicated its authorisation to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to proceed with processing the payments. In a circular issued by the Acting Deputy Director-General for Management Services, Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), GES confirmed that the approval covers arrears accrued between August 2024 and November 2025. The arrears will not be paid in a lump sum. Instead, GES has outlined a structured five-installment schedule designed to ensure an orderly disbursement process. Payments are set to begin in May 2026, with subsequent instalments following in June, July, and August 2026. Each instalment is expected to cover four months’ worth of arrears, gradually clearing the backlog that has accumulated over more than a year. The phased approach reflects a deliberate effort to manage the financial obligations in a sustainable and organised manner, rather than placing an immediate strain on the payment system. To ensure that no eligible staff member is left uninformed, GES has directed all Regional Directors to cascade the information to Heads of Schools across the country. The move is intended to guarantee that those who are owed money are made aware of the development and can expect their payments in line with the approved schedule. The announcement has also been copied to key stakeholders within the Ministry of Education, the GES Council, and senior management of the Service to facilitate coordination and smooth implementation. GES framed the development as part of a broader effort to settle outstanding financial obligations and improve staff welfare within the education sector, a sector where delayed salaries and arrears have long been a source of frustration among teachers and support staff. For the employees affected, the circular marks the end of a lengthy wait. With the first payment now less than two months away, the focus shifts to ensuring that the schedule holds and that every eligible staff member receives what they are owed. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
UDS Names Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu as New Vice-Chancellor
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has a new helmsman. The university’s Governing Council has appointed Professor Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu as Vice-Chancellor, a decision that signals the institution’s confidence in a leader who has spent years shaping its academic identity from within. The appointment was made at a Council meeting held on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Professor Iddrisu will officially assume the role on June 27, 2026, and will serve until August 31, 2030. Professor Iddrisu is no stranger to UDS. He currently serves as Principal of the university’s Nyankpala Campus, a role that has placed him at the heart of the institution’s academic and administrative operations. His elevation to Vice-Chancellor is, in many ways, the natural progression of a career defined by service to the university and its mission. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader with a strong record in teaching, research, and community engagement, qualities that align closely with the development-focused mandate that UDS was founded to fulfil. His scholarly contributions and active involvement in knowledge generation have earned him the respect of peers and students alike. As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iddrisu will take on one of the most demanding leadership roles in Ghana’s public university system. He will be responsible for providing overall academic and administrative direction, steering the university’s long-term strategic vision, and ensuring that UDS continues to deliver quality higher education that meets both national priorities and global standards. It is a broad mandate, and one that arrives at a time when universities across the country face growing pressure to innovate, expand access, and deepen their relevance to the communities they serve. For UDS, the appointment of a leader of Professor Iddrisu’s standing suggests the Governing Council is betting on continuity, experience, and a deep institutional knowledge to carry the university forward into its next chapter. Source: Apexnewsgh.com