Category: Education

Mr William Kwaku Chamamim, the Assemblyman for Nkwanta West electoral area in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region has urged candidates preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to take their lessons seriously as the time approaches.

Mr Chamamin, who is also the head teacher of Nkwanta M/A Basic School in view of the recent conflict in the Nkwanta South Municipality, to catch up on the lost time.

He has pledged to ensure that the education of the final year Junior High School pupils was not disrupted further.

He, however, has organised vacation classes for the candidates within Nkwanta township to help them catch up with the academic syllabus, which was interrupted by the ethnic conflict in the area.

The classes held at Nkwanta M/A JHS ‘A’ school premises are free and open to all BECE candidates in the area.

Mr Chamamin said the volunteer teachers and educationists have availed themselves to provide extra support and guidance to the pupils.

He continued that the init
iative has been well-received by both parents and the students as well, because the turnout was encouraging even despite the security challenges they are facing in the area.

The Assemblyman cum Headteacher remains committed to supporting the education of the students in the area and ensuring that they have the necessary resources needed to excel in their final exams.

He, however, urged parents to provide their wards with the necessary learning materials during the period to ensure candidates adequately prepared for their final exams.

‘I hope that these holiday classes will not only help the students perform well in the upcoming examination but also instill in them the love for learning and determination to succeed.

Some of the students expressed their profound gratitude to the Assemblyman for providing them with opportunity to enhance their learning skills.

They finally promised to make good use of the classes in their final exams.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The government has agreed to pay the outstanding lump sum of teachers who retired from January 2020 to December 31, 2020.

It has also promised to remit all union dues deductions from January 2024 to March 2024 into the accounts of the unions by April 27, 2024.

Mr Thomas Musah, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra after a takeholder meeting on issues affecting their welfare.

The stakeholders include the Ministry of Finance, the Controller and Accountant General, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

Mr Musah said the retired teachers, about 5,000, from January 2020 to December 2020 were shortchanged regarding the lump sum.

He said based on the calculations; the government was expected to pay approximately GHC 56 million to settle the outstanding arrears.

Mr Musah said the meeting set up a five-member technical committee to conduct feasibilit
y studies on the data of teachers relating to tier two pension contributions, past credit issues, and the implementation of the GLICO report, among others.

He said the committee was expected to submit the report before May 1, 2024, to resolve the issues concerning their conditions of service.

Three pre-tertiary teacher unions called off their two-week nationwide strike over poor conditions of service on March 20, 2024.

The decision to end the strike was after the National Labour Commission obtained an interim injunction to halt the industrial action, thereby facilitating the commencement of negotiations.

The unions are the GNAT, the National Association of Graduate Teachers, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Fred McBagonluri, the President of the Academic City University College, has called on stakeholders to harness the power of data science and analytics to unlock new frontiers of innovation and drive sustainable growth.

He said, ‘as we stand on the threshold of a new era of possibilities, let us embrace the opportunities that lie ahead with optimism and determination.’

Prof McBagonluri was speaking at the launch of a Graduate Programme in Data Science and Analytics by the Academic City University College in Accra.

The two-year MSC Programme is set to train students to apply data science techniques for problem-solving and decision-making in real-world scenarios.

The programme would also build the students’ expertise in analytic tools, independent problem-solving, and cross-industry applications.

He said the launch of the Programme signified the University’s commitment to embracing the future with open arms and it was a testament of their belief in the power of data to drive meaningful change and
create lasting impact.

‘With this endeavour, we aim to not only stay ahead of the curve but to redefine the very landscape of our industry,’ he added.

The President said as they embarked on this journey, ‘we must remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity and we must ensure that the data we analyze is used responsibly and ethically, respecting the privacy and rights of individual s at all times.’

Prof McBagonluri said data science was not merely a buzzword, but it was a discipline that empowered them to extract meaningful patterns and trends from vast volumes of data and it would equip them with the tools and techniques to delve deep into the intricacies of information, and uncovering hidden gems that could drive innovation and growth.

He said in this era of rapid technological advancement, data had become the lifeblood of businesses and organisations across the globe, and it held the power to unlock invaluable insights, drive informed decision-making and fuel transformativ
e change.

‘Recognising this we have embarked on a mission to harness the full potential of data through the lens of data science and analytics,’ he added.

Mr David Gowu, the Executive Director of the Institute of ICT Professionals, said data science and analytics were a Catalyst for capacity building and beyond national development.

He urged stakeholders to explore how this programme would significantly contribute to building the capacity of ICT professionals in Ghana and across Africa.

He said the Programme would equip ICT professionals with cutting-edge skills and by mastering data science techniques, they would become good at extracting insights from complex data sets.

He said these professionals would drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and contribute to the digital transformation of public and private organizations.

Mr Gowu said the Programme would help close the skills gap, where Africa faced a significant skills gap in data science and analytics.

‘By offering this programme, we bridge tha
t gap, and graduates will possess the expertise needed to tackle real-world challenges, from optimizing supply chains to predicting disease outbreaks,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong, has praised the management of the Takoradi Technical University for the audacious decision to adopt Education, which encapsulates teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialization.

He said the University should develop programmes in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing to prepare students for the jobs of the future and ensure that they were well-equipped to contribute to the global economy.

‘These are the things that will make ‘our TTU’ continuously visible and relevant, the Minister, an alumnus of the TTU said when he delivered the key notes address during the official launch of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the school.

It is under the theme: ’70 years of Societal Relevance; Projecting Excellences and Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.’

In addition to expanding its programmes offerings, TTU should also focus on increasing its research initiat
ives to drive innovation and contribute to national development, especially in environmental sustainability as such research areas attracted lots of grants from international organisations.

The University must also Invest in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to support cutting-edge research in areas such as sustainable development, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

He noted, ‘As an alumnus, I am proud to see how far TTU has come in promoting inclusivity and providing support for students with disabilities. The establishment of the Disability Support Services Unit is a testament to the University’s commitment to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to excel in their studies.’

He said the TTU must remain steadfast in upholding a strong commitment to excellence, ensuring that students received quality education that prepared them for success in their chosen careers; and promoting a culture of integrity, emphasizing ethical behaviour, honesty, and accountability among students,
faculty, and staff.

The University, originally established as a Technical Institute in 1954, had evolved over the years to become a Polytechnic in 1992 through a constitutional instrument and eventually a Technical University in 2016 through an act of Parliament with a rich history of providing quality technical education and practical training to students, which has helped in producing a skilled workforce that has contributed significantly to the development of Ghana.

He said since Its Polytechnic day till date, TTU has been at the forefront of promoting technological innovation and industrial growth with its graduates playing key roles in various industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, arts, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and telecommunications, contributing to the economic development of the country.

The Eastern Regional Minister said TTU had also been actively involved in community development projects, providing technical expertise and training to local communities to improve upon
their living standards and quality of life as well as a strong partnerships across the globe to promote research and development in various technical fields.

Additionally, community service must remain a core value with the Institution actively engaging the local community through projects, collaborations, and outreach initiatives.

Also, one of the conspicuous achievements of TTU, is the recognition of its alumni for their exceptional contributions in the world of work.

Mr. Acheampong added that the implementation of the Programmes Advisory Committee (PAC) systems where key players of industry work directly with various Academic Departments of the University, to provide critical advice on improving curricular, modern industrial practices and procedures and identifying appropriate inputs and logistics to improve teaching and learning that fits contemporary needs of industry was laudable.

He encouraged the TTU to continue to work tirelessly to promote hands-on learning through practical training and interns
hips, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. This practical experience is invaluable in helping students develop the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in today’s dynamic and fast-paced work environment.

He urged all stakeholders of the University to do everything within their power to ensure that in the next 70 years, TTU would remain a leading institution for technical and vocational education in Ghana and beyond.

Mrs. Felicia Okai, the Western Regional Director of Education, who read the Minister of Education’s speech, alluded to the valuable contributions the university had made in the provisions of Technical and vocational education and training.

‘ For a period of seven decades, the institution has nurtured countless minds by empowering them with knowledge, skills, and fashioned characters as encapsulate in your motto: ‘Adwen, Akoma, na nsa mma mpuntu’ and the 70th anniversary of TTU, should serve as a pivotal moments in the mandate of providing
education as we confront the challenges and opportunities by technological advancement and globalization.’

She urged the University to strive to open opportunities to more students and expand the offer beyond the speech and hearing impaired.

The Director called on the alumni to contribute their quota to add to the efforts of the government in the provision of infrastructure to create an enabling environment for the use of the university.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, congratulated the University for the milestone and pledged the Regional Coordinating support to the University to create critical mindset with abilities to solve societal problems.

The 70th anniversary celebrations would have activities in Health, Sanitation, Sports, community services and engagement with industry leads among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A past student of Assin Manso Senior High School (AMASS), Mr Gabriel Yankey, has donated 102 pieces of furniture worth GHS30,000.00 to his alma mater to help address the furniture deficit.

It comprises 50 mono desks and 52 dual desks.

Mr Yankey said the donation was his contribution to give back to the school and advised management to take good care of it to ensure longevity.

Mr Eric Nyarkoh, the Headmaster of the school, who received the furniture, said he was grateful to Mr Yankey for the kind gesture.

He called on old students of AMASS to also assist in whatever capacity they deemed fit to aid teaching and learning to uplift the image of thl’ @3the image of the school high.

AMASS located in the Assin South District of the Central Region has a population of 2,672.

It was initially established during Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s regime in 1965 as a four year Teacher Training College with the name Assin Manso Training College.

The School was later converted into a co-educational secondary school in 1971 in line
with government policy at that time.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has commended Accra for remarkably hosting the World Book Capital, 2023, saying it would help build a sustainable future for the book and library industry in Ghana.

‘As part of this future, Accra will now take on the role of coordinator for the UNESCO Book Capital Network in the coming year,’ it stated.

This was in a solidarity statement by Mr Edmond Moukala, the UNESCO Representative to Ghana, during the closing ceremony of the one-year long Accra World Book Capital, which ended on April 17, 2024, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Hall.

The statement said: ‘Accra, the vibrant capital of Ghana, has embraced its role as the torchbearer of literacy and storytelling. From the bustling streets of Jamestown to the serene corners of Osu, the love for books has woven itself into the very fabric of this city.’

‘We have witnessed the power of words to transform lives, ignite imaginations, and bridge gaps across generations. Throughout t
his year, Accra has championed the cause of literacy, focusing particularly on our young people – the architects of our future.’

The statement recognised that the Accra World Book Capital had reached out to marginalised groups, including women, youth, migrants, street children, and persons with disability.

‘Commitment to lifelong learning has led to reinforcing school and community infrastructure, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge.’

‘Mobile libraries have crisscrossed neighbourhoods, bringing the magic of books to doorsteps.’

It said the journey would not end in Accra as it passed the baton to Strasbourg, France for the next World Book Capital.

‘Let’s remember that books are more than ink on paper – they are vessels of hope, empathy, and understanding.’

‘Let us continue to promote reading, not just within our borders but across the globe. Let us be ambassadors of freedom of information and expression, for these rights are the bedrock of a thriving society.’

The statement s
aid the choice of Accra for the World Book Capital was facilitated by the World Book Advisory Committee, comprising major international associations in the book sector representing authors, publishers, libraries, and booksellers.

‘And so, as the sun sets on Accra’s reign as the World Book Capital, let us carry forward the flame of knowledge. Let’s write new chapters, explore uncharted narratives, and build bridges of understanding. For in the world of books, there are no boundaries – only endless possibilities,’ it said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Edmund Adinkra-Darko, Research Officer, Public Utilities Workers’ Union of TUC-Ghana, has called for active collaboration in the educational sector to promote equitable access to quality education in the country.

He expressed concerns about challenges including poor and inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, and inadequate textbooks, among others, which hindered the nation’s progress and development.

Dr Adinkra-Darko made the call at the 2nd quadrennial National Delegates Conference of TEWU Youth in Kasoa.

The conference is on the theme: ‘Fostering Partnership for Equitable Education Delivery in Ghana: The Role of TEWU Youth.’

The youth, he said, had the energy, passion, knowledge, and power to achieve the desired changes in the education sector when these attributes were properly harnessed.

That, he stressed, was imperative because the youth remained an indispensable group to partner with for equitable education delivery in the county.

He called for a conscious effort to build
the capacity of TEWU youth to be effective agents of change in the education sector.

‘Training programmes, workshops, conferences, and mentorship opportunities are key to equipping TEWU youth with the requisite skills, knowledge, and capabilities to seek the desired change in the education sector,’ he said.

He urged them to identify all potential entities for partnerships to improve education delivery in the country.

Dr Adinkra-Darko advised the youth to ensure fairness in all their dealings with their members and other stakeholders and also foster unity to propel them for success.

Mr Mark Dankyira Korankye, the General Secretary of TEWU-TUC Ghana, said when the youth were involved in all activities, it ended with success.

‘I have much hope for the future of the Union because of their exuberance. There are many potentials among them, and I am happy for the future of the Union,’ he said.

He called on authorities to ensure equal access to quality education and address gender barriers that affected girl ch
ild education.

He advised the youth to embrace technology and leverage its gains to advance knowledge for sustainable development.

Mr Ambrose Yao Kwadzodza, National Chairman, TEWU-TUC Ghana, assured the youth of the leadership support to develop their potential to take up the future mantle.

He urged them to work hard, interconnect with each other, and share ideas for best practices to improve the Union.

Mr Isaac H.B. Armah Jnr., Chairman of the TEWU Youth Committee of TUC-Ghana, said the theme demonstrated that the youth were poised and positioned to contribute their quota to the education delivery in the country.

He, among others, enumerated the achievements of the Union like the development of a constitution, the successful organisation of the first-ever or maiden Regional Youth Conferences and youth representation in the TUC Youth Council.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, has expressed gratitude to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for the conferment of a doctorate degree on him last Thursday in Cape Coast.

‘I thank the management of UCC for appreciating and recognizing my efforts and contributions to the University and humanity,’ he stated.

He expressed his appreciation at a short press conference at Emintsimadze Palace where he indicated that the award had encouraged him to do more for his people and the country at large.

The acknowledgment came after the University recognised him for his remarkable contributions to the development of society.

He was also honoured, particularly for his visionary leadership and distinguished service to the nation, the University, the global community and humanity in general.

He assured the University of his continued commitment to help resolve the challenges between the UCC and its neighbouring communities for conducive atmosphere for learning and teaching and social cohesion.

The Oguaamanhen expressed concern over the inability of many of its indigenes to access higher education and appealed to the University to adopt some basic schools in Cape Coast to help improve education in the area.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta indicated that progress had been made in bringing on board professors and academia to help train the younger ones in the area, but much needed to be done to groom the younger generation.

‘It is very sad to see BECE results of some children in Cape Coast, this sends signals that education at the lower level is bad and need help,’ he added.

He added that Cape Coast had the best schools in the country and the young ones must take advantage for their self-advancement to be able to contribute their quota to the social and economic development of the country.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta called on academia in and abroad to come on board to support the course to see the Cape Coast they all envisaged for the generation.

Source: Ghana News Agency