Professor Kwamena Ahwoi Sworn-In As New Chairman Of University Of Ghana Council

Professor Kwamena Ahwoi has been sworn-in as Chairman of the University of Ghana Council; the highest decision making body of the University. Professor Ahwoi was appointed by President Mahama and other four distinguished individuals to take over from Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah led administration.

The appointees to the Council include Professor Mahama Duwieju, Archbishop Duncan Williams, Ambassador Fati Habib-Jawula as well as Dr. William Abayaawien Atuilik.

Other new members joining the University of Ghana Council include Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Owusu Oduro; SRC President, Ms. Esinam Afi Seade; GRASAG President, Mr. Nana Asafo- Adjei Ayeh and the UTAG President, Dr. Harry Lawson Agbanu.

The University of Ghana Governing Council is responsible for the effective running of the Premier University by ensuring that the aims and objectives are realized.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the University of Ghana, Minister of Education, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said the importance of higher education in Ghana cannot be underplayed taking into consideration the transformation agenda of the country. According to her Ghana’s education system needs stakeholders to make a concerted effort in finding long lasting solutions to the numerous problems bedeviling the nation.

“The central role of Tertiary Education in the development agenda particularly, as it relates to the terminal stages of building the human resources of our country, cannot be lost on any of us. Education has featured and would continue to engage us, as we strive to find common ground to have an educational system that addresses our changing needs.” the Education Minister said.

She further congratulated the University of Ghana for been ranked by the Times Higher Education (THE) as the 7th best University in Africa, the highest ranking in the West Africa sub-region.

Professor Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang also tasked the new council members to liaise with their Predecessors to continue providing policy direction and support to secure human and equipment resources to advance academic works at the nation’s premier University.

“Like most tertiary institution, I know the University of Ghana is currently confronted with a myriad of challenges; I have every confidence that the council will aid management in rising to the occasion” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated.

She said the Ministry in collaboration with USAID is also implementing a five year technical assistance and capacity building support with $72 million directed to improve reading, teacher skills and management. The project also seeks to advance system management, facilitating effective management for government and local organizations receiving direct funds.

In his acceptance speech as Chairman, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi who is also an alumnus of the University of Ghana thanked President Mahama for reposing confidence in him and his colleagues to lead the University council for the next four years. He also assured the President and the people of Ghana of their relentless effort to make the University attain its vision of becoming a world class research intensive institution in the next decade.

Below is the list of the members of the highest decision making body:

FULL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA COUNCIL

Professor Kwamena Ahwoi ———Chairman of Council, Nominated by Government

Professor Ebenezer Owusu Oduro ——-Vice-Chancellor

Professor Mahama Duwiejua ——– Nominated by Government

Archbishop Ducan Williams——— Nominated by Government

Ambassador Fati Habib-Jawula ———Nominated by Government

William Abayaawien Atuilik ———Nominated by Government

Mercy Haizel- Asia———–Registrar

Professor Kodzo Gavua——— Elected by Convocation

Alfred Quartey ——— Elected by Convocation

John .K. Klinogo ——— Appointed by Council

Richard Kwame Asante ——— Appointed by Council

Eileen Odartei-Laryea ——— Appointed by Council

Max Price ———–Appointed by Council

Samuel Ofori-Adjei ———Nominated by Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS)

Professor Mahama Salifu ———–National Council for Tertiary Education

Kwesi Yankey ———-Nominated by University of Ghana Alumni Association (UGAA)

Nana Asafo- Adjei Ayeh ———Nominated by Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG)

Esinam Afi Seade ———Nominated by Students Representative Council (UG SRC)

Harry Lawson Agbanu ———–Nominated by University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG)

Kenneth Botchway ——— Nominated by Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU)

Ghana Education Service Calls Bluff of CHASS To Shutdown Schools

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has called off the bluff of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to shutdown schools for the delay in paying subsidies.

Addressing a Press conference today (Thursday), the Director-General of GES, Mr. Jacob Kor said the authority to re-open and close down any public school is the prerogative of the Minister of Education; not CHASS.

He has however debunked allegations by CHASS that feeding grants and subsidies of the 2^nd term of the 2014/2015 and 3^rd term of 2015/2016 academic years are in arrears. According to Mr. Kor only the 3^rd term of the 2015/2016 is yet to be paid.

Mr. Kor explained that GH¢23.5 million has been disbursed for the first term of the 2015/16 academic year and as at the time CHASS organized its media briefing an amount of ¢23.4 million for subsidies was ready for disbursement, thus only the third term is outstanding.

The delay he partly attributed to the apathy of some heads of second cycle institutions to submit credible data for an onward disbursement of the subsidies and grants due them.

“The untimely release of subsidies and grants are partly due to the lackadaisical attitude of some heads in terms of data submission to headquarters. For instance, some heads of second cycle schools submitted their 2015/2016 first year’s admission figures and other data for funds to released just last week Thursday 14^th July, 2016 to the GES headquarters in mid-July 2016. Such heads will be given a queried.” Mr. Kor explained.

CHASS at a press conference yesterday says it is struggling to effectively manage the affairs of Senior High Schools across the country due to the delay in the payment of subsidies to schools.

According to the President of CHASS, Mrs. Cecilia Kwakye Coffie unpaid ‘absorbed fees’ and feeding grants, high utility bills and inadequate feeding fees of GH¢3.30 per student per day for 3 meals are having great toll in managing these schools. She also added students are fed on credit and heads of institutions are being harassed by their creditors on daily bases.

But the Director-General of GES has requested that all Heads of second cycle schools to exercise maximum restraint in resolving management issues of schools. He further indicated that his outfit has received the request for an increment in feeding fee thus an increase will be affected at the beginning of next academic year (2016/17).

Mr. Jacob Kor further cautioned all Heads of second cycle institutions to submit credible data to the GES on time to avert the delay in releasing the funds.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

Government To Provide 5000 Jobs For Ghanaian Youth In A Bid To Reduce Youth Unemployment

Five thousand (5,000) Ghanaian youth in the informal sector are expected to be trained by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) with funding from the Youth Enterprise Authority (YEA)

This was disclosed by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon Haruna Iddrisu at a meeting which saw NVTI and the YEA sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

According to the Labour Minister, the move is in line with President Mahama’s vision to support the development of skills of the youth and to prepare them for either self-employment or the world of work.

“Under President Mahama we have recognized the need to close the skills gap and to resolve the skills mismatch of our youth in the country.” the Labour Minister said.

The agreement will have the youth in the informal sector trained as artisans within three to nine months and with a certificate from the National Vocational Training Institute. The beneficiaries will have the opportunity of selecting one of the 10 trade areas for which they will be trained.

SIGNING OF MOU BY YEA & NVTI

The 10 trade areas include General electricals, Aluminum fabrication, Computer hardware, Carpentry, Plumbing and tile laying. The rest are Flora and balloon decoration, dress making, Hairdressing as well as masonry.

Executive Director of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Mr. Stephen Bismark Amponsah said the beneficiaries will be provided with strategic set of skills that are demand-driven not only in Ghana but also across the world.

“The focus of this partnership is to look at employability. We have had various models in the past that people were trained. Unfortunately we could not point too much to the success story. This one we are providing the skills and making sure that all those who will acquire these skills put them into good use to build the economy.” Mr. Amponsah said.

Minister of Labour, Haruna Iddrisu & Deputy Baba Jamal

He further added that the programme will be in four main parts: Training; the Assessment component; Cooperative Systems where the participants will work in groups. Finally the individuals will be helped with setting up a business after which there will be consistent follow up to ensure their businesses grow.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Mr. Ebo Beecham said to be able to fulfill their mandate of developing coordinating and supervising all activities related to youth employment in the country; his outfit has adopted the strategy of partnering with some agencies like NVTI.

According to Mr. Beecham a total of 8600 youth have already been trained and deployed under modules earlier this year. Among the modules are Youth in Health, Youth in Security, Youth in Coastal Sanitation, Youth in Agriculture and Youth in Afforestation amongst others.

The Youth Enterprise Authority is expected to support the National Vocational Training Institute with at least an annual fund of GH¢10 million.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7MHz

Don’t Strike; Government Is Addressing Your Concerns- Haruna Tells CLOGSAG & Unpaid Teachers

The Minister of Employment and Labour relations, Hon Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) and the Unpaid Teachers and Education workers to rescind on their decision to embark on an industrial action as government is working to address their concerns.

The two Workers’ Union had earlier this year threatened to strike nationwide to drum home their demands.

In the case of CLOGSAG, government has paid interim premiums to other category of workers in the country but has failed to extend the payments to their members hence decision to lay down their tools. They have also chastised a committee charged to work on market premiums, for recommending their exclusion from receiving market premiums.

Whilst the Unpaid Teachers and Education workers are demanding government to pay 3000 of its members their three month’s salary arrears otherwise resort to strike. According to the teachers, government has refused to pay them despite several agitations to get these monies paid.

According to the General Secretary of the group, Isaac Amponsah they were told that the auditors had presented a report to the Finance Ministry for clearance but they still remained unpaid.

But speaking to the media to the media on Tuesday, Mr. Iddrisu said government is doing its best to maintain the industrial tranquility in the country whilst they resolve the existing impasse of the two unions.

“Government is doing everything possible to maintain the serenity of the industrial atmosphere in the country and to maintain industrial peace and harmony even as we address the legitimate concerns of the two different major categories of workers in the country.” the Labour Minister said.  

He also indicated that the subcommittee assessing the market premium relative to all categories of workers will be engaging CLOGSAG this week to reach a middle grounds after which the reports will be submitted for government consideration.

In respect to the unpaid teachers, Mr. Harruna Iddrisu said the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations met the four teacher unions in the country and have agreed on a road map to get the outstanding issues resolved.

The Labour Minister also said the teachers whose documents have been validated have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for onward payment through the Controller and Accountant Generals Department.

 “However there is a huge workload which is being worked on in regions of 60 to 90,000 and we have agreed on how to get that validated.”  Iddrisu indicated.

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu therefore assured the two unions government will resolve their concerns in the shortest possible time.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 

2016 National Science and Maths Quiz Officially Launched

The official Opening of the 21st of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has taken place at the University of Ghana with 136 schools participating  this year.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Director of the Science Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Andrew Quainoo said the wealth of a nation greatly depends on the effectiveness of the teaching and learning of Science and Technology and Mathematics in schools.

“Ghana needs to tap into the knowledge base of its people by providing inspiring Science and Maths education that develops the human resource required for the economic growth of the country as well as the personal development.” Mr. Quainoo said.

The Director of the Science Education Unit bemoaned the downward trends in the performance of students in Science and Mathematics in both the Junior and Senior High Level. He however said the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Education Service (GES) has since 2013 being implementing a number of measures to nip the recurrent problem in the bud.

The measures include the resourcing of about 300 public senior high schools with modern science equipment to make them science resource centers.

Four teachers of each of these schools have been trained in the use of these facilities to enhance lessons delivery.

Mr. Andrew Quainoo also hinted of plans in setting Science resource centers at the Basic level this year so as to enhance the quality of delivery at this level.

Also among the actions taken include the support of 125 low performing Senior High Schools to aid the students to appreciate the subject of science and mathematics.

Also speaking at the same ceremony, Immediate Past President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Mr. Ofori Adjei has expressed worry over the low participation of students in co-curriculum activities in Senior High Schools. He however pledged CHASS’ commitment in sponsoring the National Science and Maths Quiz and also made a passionate appeal to corporate Ghana to augments its efforts in funding educational program such as the National Science and Maths Quiz in the country.

As part of plans to improve upon the national competition, an additional round known as  the "round of speed" has been introduced to make a total of 5 rounds in a single competition.

The Quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufman will moderate the one-eighth stage to the finals of this year's contest. Early two Quiz mistresses were introduced by organizers, Prime-time Media to assist in the preliminaries stage.
The Senior High School students will be mentored by past participants of the National Quiz to help broaden their interests in the various aspects of the sciences.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/Radio Univers

National Blood Service Awards University of Ghana

The University of Ghana today received a Special recognition from the National Blood Service-Ghana for donating one of the highest units of blood among donor communities in the country.

Between June 2015 and June this year, the University community donated a total of 581 pints to the safe millions of unknown Ghanaians.

SRC President of the University of Ghana, Ms. Esinam Afi Seade took to her Facebook page to salute all students who contributed to achieving this feat.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

Prempeh College, Mfantsipim & Wesley Girls' Meet In 2016 NSMQ Quarter Finals

The ongoing 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is getting keener and interesting day after day as the lesser known schools are giving the so called “crème de la crème” schools a run for their money in the one-eighth stage of the competition.

One of such contest was the one involving Winneba SHS, Ashiaman SHS and the Reigning Champions, Prempeh College in the 9^th in series of the one-eighth stage of the competition.

Defending Champions, Prempeh College

This contest which has sparked a lot of debate on social media with many accusing Primetime Limited, organisers of the competition  for cheating underdogs Winneba SHS to favour three times champions Prempeh College, an allegation the company has vehemently denied.

The contest as usual is presented in five rounds: the round for fundamental questions in Science and Mathematics; the speed round and “the Problem of the Day.” The remaining two rounds include True or False statements and the round for Riddles.

The first two rounds had no problem with Prempeh College scoring 27 points, closely followed by Winneba SHS with 26 points and Ashaiman with 12.

Winneba SHS

The 3^rd round which is the “Problem of the Day” where all three competing schools are presented with the same question to attempt in three minutes; after which they are awarded marks based on the quality of answers provided. In the case of this contest, there was a problem with the question presented to all three schools. Speaking to Univers news off record, one of the consultants of the NSMQ, admitted there was an error with the question to all three schools.

“On the question paper 4 hydrogens was stated for the contestants to work with instead of 11. Ashaiman SHS and Winneba SHS upon realizing the mistake used the 11 hydrogens gas which ironically corresponds to the ideal solution presented by the Consultants to the supposedly wrong question. Prempeh College on the other hand stuck to the 4 hydrogens indicated on the question paper.” the consultant explained.

But all these came to light after the solutions presented by the schools where scored by the Quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann. Out of the 10 points for the question, Prempeh College had 1 (28) whilst Winneba SHS and Ashaiman SHS had 7 (33) and 3 (15) points respectively. Upon realizing the answers presented by the other two schools, contestants of the 2015 NSMQ winners, Prempeh College drew the attention of the Quiz mistress to the fact that, there was no way the solution provided by Winneba SHS and Ashaiman SHS could have satisfied the question, a claim the quiz mistress in consultation with the Chemistry consultant upheld.

Ashiaman SHS

In fairness of the competition, the Quiz mistress again in consultation with the consultants agreed for the third round to be retaken but this time a question in Biology. This decision was gladly welcome with thunderous claps and cheers from supporters of Prempeh College whilst funs of Winneba SHS initially resisted the decision but later kowtow to the resolution.

At end of the retaken “problem of the Day”, Winneba SHS and Prempeh College had 3 each with Ashaiman SHS scoring 2. With the new scores, the results at the end of the third round was as follows: Prempeh College 36; Winneba SHS with 31 and 17 for Ashaiman SHS.

Contestants for Winneba SHS could not keep their composure in the fourth and the final round of the competition as they dissipated their points to allow Prempeh College to sail through to the quarter finals.

Earlier in the day two times NSMQ champions , Mfantsipim School and Wesley Girl’s school narrowly won their respective contest to also book a place in the quarter finals where they will lock horns with Mfantsipim School and Prempeh College.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7MHz

University of Ghana To Sack ‘Non-Performing’ Lecturers

University of Ghana

Some lecturers of the University of Ghana will be relieved of their duties next month should they fail to conduct and produce research documents as part of their duties.

This was revealed by the National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr. Harry Agbanu in an exclusive interview with Univers news.

According to him, the action will be taken per the University’s regulation which demands that lecturers conduct researches and publish journals to enable them rise to the position of Senior lecturers within a stipulated time.

Dr. Agbanu further indicated that the dismissal will not be the first instance for the University as many others have also been dismissed for not making themselves relevant to the academic community by publishing research work.

He also added that the University is compelled to take such a decision to protect the integrity of the institution even though it decreases the lecturer-to-student ratio.

“The University must be seen to be living up to expectation. The quality of faculty has a lot to do with the quality of the University’s integrity and so if the University feels that you are not making effort to publish and get promoted, they relief you of your position and it has being happening every year.” Dr. Agbanu explained

In a related development, Dr. Harry Agbanu has assured students in the various public universities the association will not embark on any strike action this year as government is expediting action on matters relating to the payment of book and research allowance for lecturers in due time.

Government has approved the payment of GH¢37 million in book and research allowances to lecturers in tertiary institutions. Meanwhile Finance Ministry has begun the processes for the release and payment of the money to beneficiary lecturers.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

University Of Ghana Teaching Hospital To Commence Operations In September

Project Coordinator and Interim CEO of the University Of Ghana Teaching Hospital, Professor Aaron Nii Lante Lawson has disclosed that the Legon Teaching Hospital will be completed in September this year. This comes after the contractors failed to meet the December 2015 deadline. He revealed this to Univers news on the sidelines of a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to the site on Friday June 17, 2016.

The visit afforded the lawmakers the opportunity to assess the progress of work, interact with the Project Coordinator as well as seek clarification on issues including power supply to the facility, training of medical personnel, recruitment process, and management of the facilities among others.

Addressing some of the concerns raised by the parliamentary select committee on health, Professor Lawson said a 2,500 megawatt standby by generator has been procured to forestall any power fluctuations when the facility starts full operation. He also assured the select committee on health of an impartial recruitment process that will be based on competence and commitment to work.

Citing some of the challenges encountered by the contractors and consultants on the project, Prof. Lawson said the inability of the state to grant tax exemptions on the procurement of materials had increased the cost of procuring the requisite materials but received assurance from the Committee to do something about it.

The Interim CEO told the committee measures will be put in place to curb the recurrent strike action that has characterized the health sector.

 “We are going to put a clause in the appointment letters of all health professionals we employ not to embark on any form of strike even if their various national association have done so.”

Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health

Meanwhile Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh expressed satisfaction on the progress of work in spite of the delay which was due to funding. Hon. Chireh also said he was impressed about the commitment of the University of Ghana council in seeing to the success of the project.

The $217 million facility is expected to provide cutting-edge medical training for about 1,000 medical doctors to improve the current doctor-to-patient ratio and serve as a research Centre for various health professionals including students. Built with a loan facility from the Israeli government, the hospital is the first of its kind in the West African sub-region and will help improve the delivery of health in the country and the sub-region.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7MHz

Full Statement: UG-SRC Official Stance On Payment Of Utility Bills

The University of Ghana Students’ Representative Council (UG-SRC) has officially declared its position on the recurrent debate on the payment of utility bills by tertiary students across the country at a Press Conference today at the SRC Union Building; University of Ghana.

Below is the full statement signed by the UG SRC President, Ms. Esinam Afi Seade

   

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STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA  

STUDENTS ARE NOT IN THE POSITION TO PAY FOR UTILITY BILLS

National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) President, Fellow Executives, Students leaders, Friends of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen, the issue of who bears responsibility for the payment of water and electricity consumption by subvented institutions in the country has become rather unclear in recent times.

Whereas students believe government bears the responsibility, the University Management also believe government has developed a cold feet with regards to payment of utility bills which could compel them to push forward the burden to students following the directive from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to the utility companies notably the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Company Limited that public tertiary institutions are responsible for the payment of utility bills from January 2014. This has led to threats of disconnection and actual disconnection of several institutions on many occasions by Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Company Limited.

As a result, the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the University of Ghana on a proposal to include charges for utilities (Electricity and Water) in students’ fees for the 2015/2016 academic year, submitted by the Finance Director on 16^th June 2015 was addressed. In this proposal, an amount of GHC225.36 and GHC627.14 was proposed as charges for utilities for Non-residential students and Residential students respectively in a situation where administrative consumption of utilities were to be footed by management, with charges of GHC745.80 and GHC344.03 also going for Utilities for Residential Students and Non-Residential Students respectively in a situation where student were to bear the total cost.

In interacting to this, the proactive effort of government saw to the revert of this decision by the University authority through a letter from the Ministry of Education dated 29th June, 2015. Per that letter, all Educational and Health Institutions were mandated to be exempted from the ongoing disconnection exercise as mentioned above. In addition, the Ministry also reiterated that Government had not taken any decision for students in some Public Tertiary Institution to pay utility bills for the academic year.

Going forward, Students’ Representative Council has also taken notice of the decision of the University management to bill students for Utilities for the 2016/2017 academic year following the inaction of government to make payment for the Utility charges as promised. A projection of gh¢2,326.00 and gh¢922.00( for residential and non-residential students respectively) came out from the finance directorate as proposed utility charges on students for the 2016/2017 academic year in a meeting of the finance and general purposes committee of the university of Ghana. This to the directorate was measure that the university was adopting as a sustenance mechanism to prevent threat of disconnection and actual disconnection.

By this release

• We ask that the Government issues a directive to all stakeholders involved, namely the electricity company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Water Company Limited and the University of Ghana management, asking that students are waived from these proposed charges.

• We call on parents, civil society organization, students unions and the general public to solidarize with the University of Ghana SRC to vehemently avert these unwarranted charges on students.

• We further call on all students of the University of Ghana to remain calm as the SRC will not succumb to any policy decision at the detriment of students’ welfare. The SRC stands with students always!

Students leader, friends of the media, ladies and gentlemen, we are very grateful for your time. God richly bless you for your audience.

Thank you.

Esinam Afi Seade

SRC PRESIDENT

Mfantsipim, Adisadel And Opoku Ware To Clash In 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz Grand Finale

Two central Region-based Senior High School, Mfantsipim and Adisadel College as well as Ashanti Region-based Opoku Ware School have booked a place in the Grand finale of the 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) schedule to take place on Wednesday June 29, 2016 at the University of Ghana.

First to qualify was two champions, Mfantsipim School as they won their contest involving 2013 victors’, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Ghana National College in the 1^st semi final contest. The 2^nd contest also saw 2015 first runner up, Adisadel College secure their qualification into the finals after beating Accra Academy and Kumasi Secondary Technical School. And in a fiercely contested 3^rd in series of the semi finals saw St. Hurbert Minor Seminary and Kumasi High School painfully lost to two times Champions, Opoku Ware School.

The stakes are high with Mfantsipim and Opoku Ware Schools looking forward to winning the trophy for the third time whilst Adisadel College will be hoping to make history by winning the trophy for the first ever since the National Science and Maths Quiz started twenty one years ago.

The winner of the 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz will walk away will the coveted cash prize, trophy, branded souvenirs from sponsors and the bragging right for one year.

Below are some statistics of the 2016 NSMQ finalists.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

Quarter Finalists Of 2016 National Science And Maths Quiz by Regions

   The 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz will on June 23 begin the Quarter Finals at the University of Ghana. 27 schools including Defending Champions, Prempeh College will be locking horns in the quarter finals to book a place in the semifinals.

Ashanti and Central Region top win the highest number of schools that have qualified for the Quarter finals of the competition whilst schools in the Volta, Upper East and Upper West Regions failed to secure a place in the Quarter finals.

Below is the list of Quarter Finalists by Region.

CENTRAL REGION (7)

Wesley Girls’ High School

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS

Mfantsipim School

Ghana National College

Aggrey Memorial SHS

Adisadel College

University Practice SHS

ASHANTI REGION (7)

Prempeh College

KNUST SHS

SDA SHS, Bekwai

Kumasi Sec Tech School

Kumasi High School

Opoku Ware School

St. Hurbert Min. Sem. SHS

EASTERN REGION (5)

Presby SHTS, Aburi

Pope John SHS

Benkum SHS

Nifa SHS

Koforidua Sec Tech

GREATER ACCRA REGION (4)

St. Thomas Aquinas SHS

Accra Academy

Ada SHS

West Africa SHS

WESTERN REGION (2)

Sekondi College

Ghana Secondary Technical School

BRONG AHAFO REGION (1)

Kintampo SHS

 NORTHERN REGION (1)

Tamale SHS

VOLTA REGION (0)

UPPER WEST REGION (0)

UPPER EAST REGION (0)

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

''Leakage-free'' BECE Is Pure Luck-Prof. Dzidonu

Education experts in the country have waded into the controversies surrounding the use of digital system in marking examination papers. The experts say it will be very difficult to develop a software flexible enough to mark papers especially essay scripts.

This comes on the back of some recommendations made by the committee set up to investigate the recent exam leakages in the WASSCE for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to check exam malpractices using technology, even to the extent of marking their scripts.

Among the recommendations are the Annual rotation and award systems for center invigilators, stricter measures and the use of advanced technology to curb exam malpractices.

These measures were necessitated by the recurrent leakages of examination papers and the cancellation of five papers in the 2015 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) after the Examination Council detected the seepage of the papers on social media.

Speaking to Univers news, President of the Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Professor Clement Dzidonu proposed the use of technology to eliminate the use of question papers. He opined that the seepage of exams papers are as a result of the long period between when examiners set the questions and the day the papers are written.

“We cannot solve the leakage problem unless we eliminate this numerous stages and the lot of people handling this paper at various stages” he said.

Professor Dzidonu further said the digital marking cannot deal with poor invigilation that would allow students copy during an examination. He also described the leakage-free 2016 BECE as pure luck. According to him the examination body has not put enough measures in place to nip the problem in the bud.

In a related development, Counseling Psychologist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Annabella Osei-Tutu also lauded the use of digital marking to grade multiple choice questions but was unsure of any sophisticated software that can mark essay question.

“When we are marking essays; we have our marking scheme. In the case your clever student has answered the question in a way that it goes beyond your marking scheme; that is where your flexibility will come in. There may be certain things you may not even have captured but your bright student has incorporated that into his or her essay and so if it is not in your simple marking scheme and you fed it into the machine, how do you compensate your bright student?” Dr. Osei-Tutu clarified

She has however appealed to teachers to encourage their students learn beyond what they teach them in class.

Meanwhile the Ghana Education Service (GES) has said they must be congratulated for the leakage-free 2016 BECE. This appears not to have gone down well with many Ghanaians describing it as needless and baseless.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

Brazil Sent Home From The Copa America In USA

The 8 times Copa America Champions have been eliminated from the competition after a controversial goal in the dying minutes of the game was allowed by the Center referee. The goal which was scored in the 74^th minutes of the game after Peru’s Andy Polo sent a cross from the right wing of the pitch to the center of the Brazilian goalpost and was converted by substitute Raul Ruidiaz with the hand into the post.

While Coach Dunga's men started protesting furiously to the Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha decision; the Peruvians went celebrating.

The referee ruled the goal out at first with Peru joining in the protest, which protracted for close to five minutes, with the Center referee taking directives over his earpiece from an unknown third party.

Eventually the handball goal was allowed with the Peruvians jubilating at the expense of the Brazilians.

Brazilians Protesting Against the Goal

After six minutes of stoppage time Andres Cunha ended the game with Peru winning the match by alone goal to nil.

The last time Brazil was sent home in the group stages was in 1987 when Argentina hosted the competition and was won by Uruguay.

Peru and Ecuador have gained qualification into the quarter finals of the competition with seven (7) and Five (5) points respectively.

Whiles Peru will lock horns with Colombia in the quarter finals on June 17, Ecuador will take on host nation USA.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/Radio Univers 105.7FM

2016 National Science and Maths Reaches 1/8 Stage- Here Are The List Of Schools

The one-eighth stage of the 21^st edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is scheduled to begin on Monday June 13, 2016. 54 out of 108 schools qualified from the preliminaries to battle it out with the 27 schools seeded from last year’s contest.

Mrs. Gladys Schwinger

The quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Kaufman is expected to moderate the rest of the competition after organizers, Primetime Media

introduced two other mistresses, Dr. Angela M. Lamptey (Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, UG) and Mrs. Gladys Schwinger (Department of Botany) to assist in the preliminaries.

There will be 27 contest in the one-eighth stage out of which the winners of the respective contest will proceed to the quarter finals slated for June 23.

Dr. Angela M. Lamptey

2015 NSMQ winners, Prempeh College are tipped to qualify to the next stage of the contest as they lock horns with underdog Ashaiman SHS and Winneba SHS in the 9^th in series of the one- eighth competition. Adisadel College and University Practice SHS are also expected to win their respective contest.

Below is the schedule for the one-eighth stage of the 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz slated to take place from June 13 to June to June 22 at the R.S Amagashe Auditorium at the University of Ghana- Legon.

Date	1/8 STAGE PAIRING FOR THE ON-GOING 2016 NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MATHS QUIZ
June 13	Oforipanin SHS	Presby Sec. Tech, Aburi	Damongo SHS
	St. Augustine College	Akwamuman SHS	Pope John, K’dua
	Sogakope SHS	Jachie Pramso SHS	Ghana Nat. College
June 14	Wesley Grammar SCH.	St. Thomas  Aquinas SHS	Half Assini SHS
	Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS	Bolgatanga SHS	Boa Amponsem SHS
	Kumasi Academy	Mawuli School	Aggrey Mem. SHS
June 15	Wesley Girls’ High SCH	Notre Dame SHS	Kwanyako SHTS
	Mfantsipim SHS	St. Charles Minor Sem.	New Juaben SHS
	Prempeh College	Ashaiman SHS	Winneba SHS
June 16	Sr. Francis Xavier Jr. Seminary	Swedru SHS	Sekondi College
	Accra Academy	Techiman SHS	Awudome SHS
	St. Peter’s SHS	Krobo Girls’, Odumasi	SDA SHS, Bekwai
June 17	Kintampo SHS	Berekum Presby SHS	Bawku SHS
	Presby Boy’s SHS	KNUST SHS	St. Mary’s SHS
	Abuakwa State College	Anlo SHS	Kumasi Sec. Tech Sch.
June 18	Anglican SHS	Tamale SHS	Armed Forces SHTS
	Ghana SHS, K’dua	Okuapemman SHS	Benkum SHS
	Adisadel College	Dzodze-Penyi SHS	Tamale Islamic SHS
June 20	Achimota SCH	Nifa SHS, Adukrom	Holy Child School
	Kumasi High SCH	Osei Tutu SHS	Kadjebi SHS
	Koforidua Sec. Tech	OLA Girls’ SHS, HO	Methodist Girls’ SHS
June 21	Ada SHS	St. Monica’s SHS	Fijai SHS
	Ghana Sec. Tech Tech	Keta SHS	Gowrie Sec/Tech
	Opoku Ware School	T.I AMASS, Kumasi	Takoradi SHS
June 22	Assin Manso SHS	Sunyani SHS	West Africa SHS
	Archbishop Porter Girls’	St. Mary’s SHS, Lolobi	St. Hubbert Min. Sem.
	University Practice SHS	Navrongo SHS	Akatsi SHTS

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/Radio Univers 105.7MHz