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Over 80% of BECE candidates score above aggregate 30 — Prof. Duwieju
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PROFESSOR Duwiejua Mahama, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has expressed concern about the poor performance of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the Sissala East and Sissala West Districts.
He noted that more than 80 per cent of students scored aggregate 30 and above, describing this as worrying.
Speaking at the 40th anniversary and graduation ceremony of the Tumu College of Education, Prof. Mahama urged the college to conduct a thorough study into the persistent low performances of Junior High School students in the two districts.
He highlighted that in the 2024 BECE results, no candidate in Sissala East obtained aggregates between seven and 10, while only one student scored between 11 and 15, representing less than one per cent of the 1,249 candidates presented.
He further disclosed that about 89 per cent of candidates in Sissala East scored an aggregate of 30 and above, describing the situation as discouraging.
In Sissala West, the trend was similar, with no candidate obtaining aggregates between seven and 15, while about 72 per cent scored 30 and above.
“Where are all these children going?” Prof. Mahama questioned, stressing that such results limited students’ access to quality second-cycle institutions and future opportunities.
He indicated that the problem was not limited to the two districts but reflected broader challenges confronting rural education across the region.
Prof. Mahama urged the Tumu College of Education, as it celebrates 40 years of teacher training, to take up the responsibility of researching the causes and proposing practical solutions to address the chronic underperformance in rural basic schools.
He noted that the college’s mandate to train competent teachers, particularly for rural communities, places it in a strategic position to help reverse the trend.
Prof. Mahama congratulated the graduating teachers but reminded them that they were inheriting not only a legacy of excellence but also the responsibility to improve learning outcomes in underserved communities.
He encouraged them to embrace perseverance, integrity, and commitment as they stepped into classrooms to help transform the educational fortunes of the Sissala area and beyond.
—GNA
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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
