News
Shift system in public schools being phased out – Haruna Iddrisu
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the shift system in public schools is not a national policy and has largely been phased out across the country.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament today, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the shift system was introduced as a temporary measure to address overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure in some schools.
According to him, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are continuing efforts to eliminate the system completely through the construction of additional classroom blocks at the basic school level.
He stated that government remains committed to improving teaching and learning conditions in schools across the country.
The Education Minister disclosed that government has allocated GH¢230 million in the 2025 GETFund distribution formula for the procurement of school furniture for both basic and Senior High Schools nationwide.
According to him, the investment forms part of measures to ensure that students have access to a better learning environment.
Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted the importance of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy, which was introduced in 1996 to provide every Ghanaian child with free and compulsory basic education.
He said the policy continues to play a major role in reducing illiteracy and promoting equal access to quality education across the country.
The Minister addressed concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana over issues in the tertiary education sector.
According to him, the Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has taken the necessary steps to maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
He assured Parliament that government would continue to engage stakeholders in the education sector to ensure stability and improved educational outcomes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill was passed after it was read for the third time on the floor of Parliament.
The legislation seeks to criminalise activities related to LGBTQ practices in Ghana.
However, lawmakers introduced amendments to exempt some professionals from punishment under the law.
The exemptions cover legal practitioners, media professionals and health workers who provide services to persons identified as LGBTQ.
During proceedings in Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bernard Ahiafor who was in the chair
announced that the bill had been duly read for the third time and passed.
Supporters of the bill say it is intended to promote what they describe as Ghanaian family values and cultural norms.
The proposed law has generated public debate both within Ghana and internationally, with some groups supporting it while others have raised concerns about human rights and freedoms.
The bill is expected to go through the necessary constitutional processes before it can take effect as law after the President’s assent.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has announced the burial and funeral arrangements for her father, the late Apostle Professor Emeritus Engineer Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.
According to her, during a press conference today, the burial service for the late Founder and Leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission will take place on July 30, 2026, at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region.
She invited church members, family members and sympathisers to join the family in paying their final respects to the late religious leader.
“The venue for the burial service of our late father is Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region,” she stated.
Mrs. Adwoa Safo announced that the funeral service will be held on July 31, 2026, at the Independence Square in Accra.
She called on members of the Kristo Asafo Church, friends, loved ones and all individuals who benefited from the late Apostle Safo’s support and charity works to attend the funeral service.
According to her, the late Apostle Safo had a special love and concern for persons living with disabilities, and many of them would want to honour his memory.
“My father was a great fan of the disabled in our society and they would all want to identify with him on that day,” she said.
Mrs. Adwoa Safo further disclosed that a thanksgiving service would be held in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region on August 8, because the late Apostle Safo was a proud son of the Region.
She, however, noted that the funeral committee is still finalising the venue for the thanksgiving service and that details would be communicated later.
Apostle Prof. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka was widely known for his contributions to engineering, technology and religious leadership in Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
