Highlights of Education stories for 2014


Government to pursue affirmative action on universities

Ho, Jan. 28 - Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education, assured that Government would stay the course of affirmative action on new public universities.

Organization calls for review of Northern Scholarship

Tamale, Jan. 21 – Northern Network for Education Development (NNED), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) focusing on quality education in Northern Ghana suggested the need to review the Northern Educational Scholarship scheme to avert perennial challenges. 

Environment University to be sited at Somanya

Accra, Jan. 7  – Government said that plans were underway for the establishment of an Environment University at Somanya in the Eastern Region.

Government eliminates ghost names

Accra, Jan 07 – The government said over 2,913 ghost names were detected and removed from the pay roll of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

President justifies withdrawal of teacher trainee allowances

Accra, Jan 8 - President John Dramani Mahama said the withdrawal of the teacher trainee allowance in Colleges of Education was to offer admission to more students.

Rector appeals to government to prioritize polytechnic education

Cape Coast 10 - The Rector of the Cape Coast Polytechnic, Dr Lawrence Atepor, appealed to the government to prioritize vocational and technical education.

England University honours Ghanaian Scholar

Kintampo (B/A), Jan. 12 – The Winchester University in the United Kingdom, honoured Dr. Emmanuel Teye Adjase, Director of the College of Health and Well-being – Kintampo (CoHK), with a Degree of Doctor of Science, for his eminent achievements.

MoE warns heads of schools against unapproved charges

Accra, Jan. 15 -The Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service Council (GES), warned senior high schools over unapproved charges of fees.

National Research Fund to replace research allowance

Sunyani, Feb. 2  – Government begun modalities for the establishment of the National Research Fund, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Education, announced.

DCE institutes award scheme to improve education

Lambussie (U/W), Feb. 6 – Lambussie-Karni District in the Upper West Region instituted annual awards for the best three junior high school students and best three teachers as part of measures to improve education standards in the district.

Volta Region records high teacher absenteeism

Ho, Feb. 19 - A total of 49 per cent male teachers and 48 per cent female teachers in the Volta region were absent from school in 2013.

Ministry of Education to sanction absentee teachers

Ho, Feb. 27  - The Ministry of Education (MOE) resolved to sanction teachers who absent themselves from school starting this academic year.

President Mahama breaks grounds for 50 Community SHS

Nyanoa (ER), March 3 - President John Dramani Mahama gave the assurance that his administration would exhibit measures that would ensure equity in quality education and other social amenities.

UPSA outdoors maiden MBA in Total Quality Management

Accra, March 9 - The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), begun Africa’s first-ever MBA in Total Quality Management (TQM).

Assemblyman institutes scholarship for BECE candidates

Ho, April 2 - Mr Ransford Delali Kasu, Assembly Member for Klefe Electoral Area in the Ho Municipal Assembly instituted a scholarship scheme for basic school pupils in the area.

Universities don calls for contribution to education

Half Assini (W/R), March 19 -The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor John Nelson Buah, said quality education delivery could not be realized without active contributions of parents, communities and other stakeholders in education.

Need for career counseling units in basic schools advocated

Sunyani, Mar. 23  – A senior lecturer at the Sunyani Polytechnic called for the creation and integration of academic and career counseling units into the educational curricula to give realistic meaning to basic and second cycle education.

University of Ghana receives more financial aid

Accra, March 29 - University of Ghana received more financial aid from individuals and organizations in local and international front to support needy students and facilitate academic activities.

WAEC swaps supervisors to curtail examination malpractice

Accra, April 2 - The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), swapped supervisors in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in an effort to minimise malpractices

Teachers warned against abuse of instructional hours

Cape Coast, April 2 – Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, Minister of Education, expressed dissatisfaction about teacher absenteeism in the basic schools and urged them to use instructional hours efficiently to enhance academic work.

Wienco supports UDS with 150,000 dollars for research

Tamale, April 4 – Wienco Ghana, a limited liability company engaged in agricultural activities in the country made available, a research grant of 150,000 dollars to the Faculty of Agriculture of the University for Development Studies (UDS) to undertake research into Agriculture to improve productivity.

Ho Polytechnic ready for Technical University

Ho, Apr 1 - Ho Polytechnic beefed up capacities in readiness for the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities, Professor Anthony Afeke Adimado, Chairman of the Governing Council stated.

UTAG threatens strike action

Accra, April 8 – The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) gave the government an eight-day ultimatum to address their Book and Research Allowance (BRA) or embark on a nationwide industrial action.

Cape Coast Polytechnic to create satellite campuses

Cape Coast, April 6 - The Cape Coast Polytechnic, as part of its expansion programme, announced plans to set up a satellite campus at Agona Swedru to run Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

GTUC gives fee concession to teachers

Accra, April 16 - The Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) announced a fee concession of 1,200 pounds for teachers pursuing its Master of Arts programme in Education Leadership offered in partnership with Staffordshire University, UK.

Asantehene donates to UPSA Traditional LeadersGGip Centre.

Accra, April 15 – The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), appointed Lepowura Mohammed Nuru-Deen Jawula as the head of its newly-established Otumfuo Osei Tutu's Centre for Traditional Leadership.

University of Health and Allied Science permanent campus ready by 2015

Ho Apr 30 -The permanent campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, (UHAS), at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho, was announced to be ready for occupation by 2015.

Takoradi polytechnic receives the Arch of Europe award

Takoradi, April 29  – The Takoradi Polytechnic was awarded the Gold Category of the International Arch of Europe Award for its commitment to quality, innovation, technology and leadership.

Nine schools score zero percent in BECE in Agona West-MCE

Agona Swedru, May 13 - A total of nine schools in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region scored zero percent in the 2013 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).

Kan-Dapaah Heads UPSA’s Centre for Public Accountability

Abuja, May 21 - The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), appointed Dr. Albert Kan-Dapaah as Director for its new Centre for Public Accountability.

Use social media to power academic work – Prof Aryeetey

Accra, May 28 - Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, urged universities to move along with modern technologies, to exploit the varied social media tools to stimulate research work and promote library search.

Nine pregnant students are writing 2014 BECE in Madina

Accra, June 16 – Nine students writing this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Madina-Nkwantanang Municipality in Greater Accra Region, were pregnant.

Scrap boarding system in Colleges of Education

Peki, June 16 - Professor Damian Kofi Mereku, former Dean of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, advised the Government to scrap the boarding system in the Colleges of Education, and select some for development into Teacher Universities instead of establishing 10 new such colleges.

Catholic University College wins Community Service Award

Accra, June 13 – The Catholic University College won the Community Service Award of GH₵ 9,000 for implementing a community bakery project at Nankitiwa in the Sunyani Metropolis, which was sponsored by Osei-Kusi Foundation and Selfless4Africa Incorporated

Plan Ghana urges African leaders to increase child education investment

Accra, June 18 – Plan Ghana, an international child-centered community development organization, urged African leaders to increase investment in child education, to enhance children’s access to quality education.

UG establishes Technology Development and Transfer Centre

The University of Ghana (UG) established a Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC) to reposition itself as a world class research institution.

Chief Justice calls for radical change in educational courses

Accra, June 28 - The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, called for a radical change in the traditional focus of all educational courses in the country.

GIMPA to introduce PhD in Business Administration and Law

Accra, June 28 - The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration announced plans of introducing PhD in Business Administration, PhD in Leadership, PhD in Law, Joint Executive Masters Business Administration-Master of Laws (LLM), and International Executive Masters Business Administration.

WFP awards scholarship to 14 girls

Tamale, June 30  – The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) awarded scholarships to some 14 girls who excelled in last year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Northern Region.

Govt. soon to fully pay for BECE registration fees

Accra, June 25 - The Government of Ghana announced it was drawing a programme to absorb 100 per cent of the Basic Education Certificate Education (BECE) Registration fees, and the programme would be implemented as soon as funding was secured.

Ghana's first interactive distance learning project launched

Accra, July 03  - The GEMS Education Solutions in collaboration with its partners held a ceremony to officially launch an interactive distance learning project christened: “Making Ghanaian Girls Great.”

BECE candidates to register for re-sit in September

Accra, July 7 - The registration of the first batch of private candidates for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) re-sit was said to take off in September 2014, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Minister of Education, announced.

Solar plants to be installed in 10 public universities soon

Sunyani, July 18 – The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum was supporting the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) to secure loan from the Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for solar installation in 10 public Universities in the country.

UDS to introduce Bachelor of Law degree

Tamale, July 23  – The University for Development Studies (UDS) announced to introduce a Bachelor of Law degree in the 2015/16 academic year to expand legal education to the Northern parts of Ghana.

Mfantseman Institute of Technology inaugurated

Cape Coast, July 22 - Mfantseman Institute of Technology (MIT), a private pre-tertiary and professional institution that focuses on Science and Technology, was inaugurated in Cape Coast by Professor Emmanuel Nicholas Abakah, Pro-Vice Chancellor of University of Education-Winneba (UEW).

Lordina Foundation offer 21 students Scholarship

Accra, Aug. 18  - The Lordina Foundation with support from the Chinese government offered scholarships to 21 Ghanaian students to study in China.

28% of 2014 May/June WASSCE candidates qualify for tertiary admission

Accra, Aug 18  – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) said out of 242, 162 candidates that sat for the 2014 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE); 68, 062 (28.11 per cent) qualified for tertiary admissions.

Lockwood Institute to offer degree in applied accountancy

Accra, Sept 3 - Lockwood Institute of Business Education in collaboration with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) announced the start a degree programme in Accra in applied accountancy from Oxford Brookes University.

Embargo on recruitment affecting polytechnics

Sunyani, Sept. 2  - Professor Thomas Kwadwo Djang-Fordjour, Rector of Sunyani Polytechnic, said the embargo placed on recruitment was affecting the performance of polytechnics because they could not replace experienced staff on retirement.

Tullow Ghana sponsors 50 students for training abroad

Accra, Sept. 8 – Tullow Ghana Limited, a leading oil and gas exploration/production group in the country, announced plans to support the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to establish a post-graduate Faculty to train Ghanaians locally in Petroleum Engineering and Geophysics.

Archbishop Andoh Education Endowment Fund supports students

Accra, Sept. 17  – About Ninety-Six students from the basic, senior high, polytechnics, universities, and Nursing training colleges received bursary worth GH¢60,000 from the Archbishop Andoh Education Endowment Fund.

Ghana tops teacher absenteeism – World Bank report

Dormaa-Ahenkro, (B/A), Sept. 25  – Reports from the World Bank and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) revealed that Ghana ranked first in teacher absenteeism in West Africa.

Educational authorities must halt teacher absenteeism – Amissah-Arthur

Cape Coast(C/R), Oct.5  - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur charged the country’s educational authorities to ensure that teacher absenteeism in public schools stopped.

UPSA moves to tackle Africa leadership crises

Accra , Oct 29 - The University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA) launched strategic leadership Centre dubbed “Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership” aimed at addressing leadership deficiencies blamed for the woes of the African continent.

Valley View University excels in international competition

Accra, Oct 21 - Students from the Valley View University (VVU) excelled at this year’s Global Management Challenge (GMC) as they qualified for the finals of the competition in Russia.

World Bank donates $156 million dollars towards education

Tamale, Nov. 14 - The World Bank donated $156 million dollars to build 23 new Senior High Schools to improve quality education in the country, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Northern Regional Minister announced

Australia awards Masters Scholarships to 14 Ghanaians

Accra, Nov. 21 – The Australian Government awarded Masters Scholarships to 14 Ghanaians, amongst more than 200 African scholarship winners to study in Australia in 2015.

Government constructs 73 SHS day schools-President Mahama

Tamale, Nov 29 - President John Dramani Mahama has announced that 73 out of the proposed 200 senior high Day schools reached different stages of construction, while others were on course.

President Mahama commends GIMPA for eulogizing President Mills

Accra, Nov 26 - President John Dramani Mahama called on the Atta Mills Centre of Law and Governance to use the centre as the hub of law and advocacy that would illuminate the character of the late President.

Private universities frustrated over costs

Accra, Dec 10  - Private universities expressed concern over exorbitant accreditation and affiliation fees paid by them, saying it undermined the provision of quality tertiary education for qualified candidates.

UPSA tops Global Business Higher Education Quality worldwide

Accra, Dec 10  - The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) topped a global assessment of higher education institutions around the world for the 2013/2014 academic year.

University for Development Studies to establish Ethics Institute

Wa, Dec.7, – The University for Development (UDS) announced plans to establish an Institute for the Study of Ethics next academic year, Vice Chancellor of UDS, Professor Haruna Yakubu said.

Sunyani Polytechnic affiliates with KNUST to award BT Degree for graduates

Sunyani (B/A), Dec. 19, – Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to affiliate with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to award Bachelor of Technology Degree in Building Technology (B-Tech) to its graduates.

SOURCE: GNA