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