News
Welcome back to school, but keep safe!
The government has begun a phased-opening of educational institutions today, with the re-opening of universities for final year students, as well as final year students of other educational and training institutions, which are managed by ministries, other than the Ministry of Education.
This is to enable them to complete their lectures and write their exit examination, as announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his last broadcast to the nation, on May 31, on the update of the coronavirus containment efforts.
Final year students of Senior High Schools (SHSs), including Gold Track and Junior High Schools (JHSs) will take their turn to return to schools, on June 22 and June 29 respectively, to continue classes towards writing their exit exams.
Other aspects of schooling will remain closed, till further notice as directed by the President in Executive Instrument 64, following the passage by Parliament of the Imposition of Restrictions, Act, 2020.
Ghanaian Times is aware that the phased-opening of schools has been informed by empirical evidence, following a wide-range consultations by the President with stakeholders on “strategic, controlled, progressive, easing of restrictions”, imposed by the government as a part of measures to check the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) that is responsible for the deadly disease, coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The world is still grappling with the disease, and of course Ghana, is not out of the woods yet. We still have spikes in the communities across the country with the case load crossing the 11,000 mark, and so far 48 people have succumbed, albeit with pre-existing health conditions.
The country is recording recoveries, though slower than the infection rates, but we risk a second wave of the disease, if we let our guard down.
It’s in light of this that we welcome our final year students back on campus, with the call on them to cooperate with the school authorities and adhere strictly to the specific guidelines, including social distancing arrangement and enhanced hygiene protocol to ensure safety on campus, to prevent further community spikes in infection.
We are certainly not in normal times, and we sympathise with the plight of students, given that online studies come with challenges and also there are some programmes that lectures must certainly be face-to-face.
Undoubtedly, the reopening of universities for the final year students to complete their programme will serve as litmus test on whether we can have our normal life back, with a complete lifting of ban on public gathering.
Indeed, the outcome of the re-reopening of universities will determine whether the government will go ahead to allow SHS and JHS final year students take their turn to go back to school to complete their academic programmes.
We recall what the President said in his last broadcast, as a gentle reminder “The introduction of this phased opening up of our country means that each and every one of us must continue to remain vigilant and respect the enhanced hygiene and social distancing protocols that have become part and parcel of our daily routine over the last three months. We can’t afford to let our guard down, and ruin the successes we have chalked over the years.”
A word to the wise is enough!
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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