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Showing posts from May, 2025

Empower schools to expel violent students – EduWatch urges education authorities

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  Grant Schools the Authority to Dismiss Violent Students – EduWatch Appeals to Authorities. Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, is calling for schools to be given the power to expel students who pose a threat to safety and discipline, in response to rising incidents of violent student behavior in secondary schools. This proposal aims to help maintain a secure and conducive learning environment for all students. In a recent post on social media platform X, Mr. Asare expressed concern that traditional methods of handling student misconduct, such as corporal punishment, are no longer sufficient to tackle the alarming wave of indiscipline being witnessed across various institutions. "Schools must have the power to dismiss students whose conduct threatens safety and order. That’s a solution that matches the times," he stated. This appeal comes as teacher unions intensify calls for the return of corporal punishment, insisting it is necessary to combat what th...

President Mahama Expresses Concern Over Increasing Indiscipline in Senior High Schools

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President Mahama Raises Concern Over Rising Cases Of Indiscipline in Senior High Schools. President John Dramani Mahama has voiced deep concern over what he describes as a troubling rise in indiscipline across senior high schools in the country, warning that the trend threatens to undermine the quality of education and the safety of both students and teachers. His remarks come amid growing unease among key education stakeholders, particularly the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), which recently lamented the breakdown of discipline in various schools. NAGRAT has since issued an ultimatum, giving the government until May 31 to respond or risk teachers taking protective action against unruly student behavior. During a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, May 23, 2025, President Mahama emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for a unified response. He attributed part of the crisis to a decline in moral values and socia...

Nursing Trainees to Receive Allowances Starting January 2025

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Government to Begin Nursing Trainee Allowance Payments from January 2025 Nursing trainees across the country will soon receive their long-awaited allowances, as the government prepares to begin payments retroactively from January 2025.  The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during his Thank You Tour in the Bono East Region, where he addressed students of the Kintampo Nursing Training College. President Mahama assured the students that the Ministry of Finance has already made financial provisions to cover the allowances. He added that the government is finalizing a system in collaboration with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to ensure smooth and consistent disbursement of the funds. Under the new arrangement, trainees will receive their monthly allowances alongside public sector salary payments, including all arrears from January. The President emphasized that the restoration and regular payment of nursing trainee allowances is part of his adm...

University of Cape Coast Announces 2025/2026 Distance Postgraduate Admissions

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  UCC Opens Applications for 2025/2026 Distance Postgraduate Programmes. Apply Here The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is inviting applications for admission into its distance learning postgraduate programmes for the 2025/2026 academic year.  These programmes are managed by the College of Distance Education (CoDE) and are tailored for individuals who want to further their education while maintaining their jobs or personal commitments.   Programmes on Offer Education-Related Programmes Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Master of Education (M.Ed.) in: Higher Education Administration Educational Psychology Guidance and Counselling Measurement and Evaluation Special Education English Education Social Studies Clothing, Textiles & Family Studies Food, Nutrition & Family Studies Arts and Social Sciences . Master of Arts (MA) in: Guidance and Counselling Higher Education Administration Measurement and Evaluation Business Programmes . Ma...

The Operation of Ghana’s Upcoming Cashless Toll System via the Ghana Card

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  How Ghana’s New Cashless Toll System Will Operate Using the Ghana Card Ghana is preparing to implement a fully digital road tolling system that removes the need for human attendants. This modern solution will allow drivers to pay tolls electronically, leveraging the Ghana Card and mobile payment systems to ensure a faster and contactless process. During the 9th Ghana CEO Summit, held under the theme “Transforming Business and Governance for a Sustainable Futuristic Economy,” President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the country’s expanding digital infrastructure. He explained how services such as driver’s license issuance and vehicle registration are already linked to the Ghana Card—and how this foundation will support the upcoming toll system. How the System Will Operate The President described a smooth and automated process: as vehicles pass through designated toll zones, cameras will capture their license plates, and a bill will automatically be sent to the driver’s linked mob...

GETFund Announces 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Applications for Postgraduate Studies.

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GETFund Opens 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Applications for Postgraduate Students. Ghanaian students aiming to further their studies abroad have an opportunity to receive funding through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The 2025/2026 academic year application window for the GETFund Foreign Postgraduate Scholarships is officially open. Who Can Apply? The scholarship is open to Ghanaians who have gained admission to pursue master’s degree programmes in reputable foreign universities. The goal is to support individuals with academic promise and a strong desire to contribute to national development. Application Period •Start Date: Friday, 30th May 2025 •Deadline: Sunday, 15th June 2025 Applicants are advised to submit their applications before the deadline, as late submissions will not be considered. Basic Requirements To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must: •Be Ghanaian citizens. •Hold admission to a postgraduate programme in a recognized foreign university. •Presen...

AfDB Appoints Ato Forson as Returning Officer for Presidential Polls

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Ato Forson Appointed Returning Officer for African Development Bank Presidential Elections. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance, has been selected to serve as the Returning Officer for the ongoing presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB), currently being held as part of the Bank’s 2025 Annual Meetings. This election will determine the next leader of the Bank, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who has held the position since his election in May 2015 during the Annual Meetings in CΓ΄te d’Ivoire’s capital, Abidjan. The following candidates have been nominated for the presidency: • Amadou Hott – Senegal •Samuel Munzele Maimbo – Zambia •Sidi Ould Tah – Mauritania •Abbas Mahamat Tolli – Chad •Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – South Africa In his role, Dr. Forson is charged with ensuring the transparency and fairness of the voting process, in accordance with the Bank’s electoral framework. His duties include inspecting the ballot box before voting begins, verifying the...

Having Trouble with Affordability on Your ePayslip Portal? Here's What You Should Know.

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Facing Affordability Issues on Your ePayslip Portal? Here’s What You Need to Understand Many public workers have encountered issues with their ePayslip portal's affordability figure, displaying zero, negative, or a significantly lower amount than expected.   This issue can cause concern and uncertainty, affecting financial planning and stability. Gaining a clear understanding of what affordability represents and the various factors that can influence it will empower you to address the problem efficiently, find a resolution, and move forward with confidence in managing your finances. Gaining insight into how affordability is calculated and the key factors that influence it will enable you to better manage your salary deductions, anticipate potential issues, and avoid unexpected surprises, ultimately taking control of your financial planning. What Is Affordability? Affordability means the amount of your monthly salary remaining after mandatory deductions such as taxes, social securit...

Friday, 6th June 2025 Officially Declared a Public Holiday

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Friday, 6th June 2025 Declared a Public Holiday in Ghana. The Government of Ghana has officially declared Friday, 6th June 2025, as a public holiday nationwide. This special day marks the celebration of Eid-Ul-Adha, one of the most important Islamic festivals observed by Muslims across the country . Eid-Ul-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The festival is a time for prayer, reflection, and acts of charity, bringing together families and communities in celebration. The date of Eid-Ul-Adha varies each year according to the Islamic lunar calendar, and the Ministry of the Interior of Ghana announces the official public holiday closer to the event. For 2025, the holiday falls on Friday, 6th June, giving everyone the opportunity to observe the festival and participate in various cultural and religious activities. This declaration means that schools, governmen...

The Real Reasons Behind Chairman Wontumi’s Arrest

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Why Chairman Wontumi Was Arrested: Full Breakdown of Allegations and Investigations Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has found himself at the center of a major investigation involving key national security agencies .  Speaking on Asempa FM's "Ekosii Sen" on Monday, May 26, 2025, Abass Nurudeen, the Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), detailed the serious allegations prompting the recent security actions against the political figure. Allegations Leading to the Arrest According to Nurudeen, the actions taken by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), National Security, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) were not politically motivated but rooted in credible accusations of misconduct, including: 1. Misuse of Public Funds Chairman Wontumi is alleged to have misappropriated funds earmarked for developmental projects in the Ashanti Region. Complaints suggest these resources may have been ...

Mahama Names New MCE Nominees for Effutu and Assin Central Assemblies

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President Mahama Nominates New Municipal Chief Executives for Effutu and Assin Central Assemblies.            WhatsApp Channel   President John Dramani Mahama has officially nominated two new Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) for the Central Region, pending formal approval by their respective Assemblies. This move is part of the ongoing efforts to reinforce local governance structures and improve administrative efficiency at the municipal level. The nominations were made in line with Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended, which provide the legal basis for appointing MCEs in Ghana’s decentralized governance system. In a statement released on Wednesday, May 28, by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the President’s nominees were named as Reverend Atta Mensah for the Effutu Municipal Assembly and Gariba Adam for the Assin Central Municipal Assembly...

18.4% of Ghanaians Paid Bribes to Access Public Services in 2024, GSS Reveals

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18.4% of Ghanaians Paid Bribes to Access Public Services in 2024 – GSS Report A recent report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that 18.4% of Ghanaians who engaged with public officials in 2024 paid bribes, mostly in cash, to access essential services. The findings, contained in the Governance Series Wave 1 Report, highlight the persistence of corruption in public institutions and the daily struggles many citizens face when dealing with state agencies. The report also found that a large portion of the population feels sidelined in national governance. About 70% of those surveyed believe they have little or no influence over decisions made by government leaders. This perceived lack of inclusion may be contributing to the public’s acceptance of informal payments as the only way to receive attention or results. Further breakdowns of the data show that bribery was more common among men, who accounted for 68.3% of the reported cases, compared to 31.7% for women. Urban area...

COHBS Urges Government to Include JHS Students in School Feeding Programme

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Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) Appeals for Inclusion of JHS Students in School Feeding Programme The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) has appealed to the government to expand the School Feeding Programme to cover students at the Junior High School (JHS) level. This call was made during the association’s 2nd Quadrennial Conference held in Tepa, where newly elected executives were introduced to lead COHBS in the Ahafo Ano North Municipal for the next four years. Mr. Asare Kingsley, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of COHBS, emphasized the need to address the feeding challenges faced by JHS students, noting that some students attend school with the expectation of receiving food but are often disappointed. He highlighted the disparity in current educational support systems, stating, “The School Feeding Programme has been beneficial to pupils in lower basic schools, but JHS students are not included. Meanwhile, other students in nursing training, teacher training, an...

Health Minister urges GRNMA not to leverage patient lives in Conditions of Service negotiations

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Health Ministry Appeals to GRNMA to Halt Planned Strike Over Delayed Conditions of Service. The Ministry of Health has called on the leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to reconsider its plan to begin a nationwide strike on Monday, June 2.  The Ministry emphasized that the lives of patients should not be used as a bargaining chip in the push for improved Conditions of Service. This appeal follows GRNMA’s announcement that more than 128,000 nurses and midwives across the country would withdraw their services if their longstanding demands are not addressed. The association expressed frustration over the government’s delay in implementing an agreement signed in May 2024. The agreement, reached through the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, includes provisions aimed at enhancing the welfare of nurses and midwives, such as a 20% allowance for those who accept postings to underserved areas. However, one year after the agreement, implementation rema...

Education Ministry Renames UHAS in Honour of the Late President Atta Mills

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Education Ministry Renames UHAS After Late President Atta Mills Through a historic and heartfelt gesture, the government has renamed the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in honor of the late President  John Evans Atta Mills.  The institution will now be known as the Professor John Evans Atta Mills University of Health and Allied Sciences, a name that celebrates the foundational role he played in its establishment and the impact of his legacy on health education in the country. The announcement was made by the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during the inauguration of the university’s newly formed Governing Council on Tuesday, May 28, 2025. He explained that the renaming was a mark of national appreciation for Professor Mills, who championed the idea of a dedicated health university and ensured its creation during his presidency. Established in 2011 and opened to students in 2012, UHAS has since evolved into a leading institution for training healthcare p...

How Salaries Differ Across Nursing and Midwifery Categories.

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Breakdown of Nursing and Midwifery Types and Their Salary Structure A well-organized healthcare system relies heavily on a structured and adequately supported nursing and midwifery workforce.  To promote transparency and effective planning, it is important to understand the different types of nurses and midwives, the number of professionals in each group, and the salaries they receive. This overview provides a clear summary of the various nursing and midwifery categories, how many individuals serve in each role, and the total basic salaries paid to them each month. Registered General Nurses There are 3,876 registered general nurses. Each nurse receives a basic monthly salary of GHS 3,577.18, bringing their total salary to approximately GHS 13.87 million. Registered Midwives The health service includes 3,298 registered midwives, each earning GHS 3,577.18 per month. Their combined monthly salary amounts to about GHS 11.80 million. Mental Health Nurses A total of 324 mental health nur...