News
UMaT retains W/R Indece Day inter-district quiz competition
The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Basic School, Tarkwa, in the Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region, has retained its championship title at the fifth annual Western Region Independence Day Inter-District JHS Quiz Competition held recently at Tarkwa.
UMaT Basic School obtained 82 points to beat Christ Leading International School from Ellembele, and Peace International School from Jomoro Municipality to the second and third positions with 77 and 76 points respectively.
The S.I.P.L School from the Wassa East District placed fourth with 69 points, whiles St Anthony Roman Catholic School from Effia Kwesimintsim placed fifth with 60 points and St Augustinus Preparatory School from Nzema East placed sixth with 58 points.
The eleven schools, which represented Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the competition were chosen based on their performance at the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The contestants were quizzed on issues pertaining to the history of Ghana (pre and post colonial, pre and post independence), chieftaincy and tradition, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Arts and Culture, Science and environment, sports and general knowledge.
Nana HRH Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, the Paramount Chief of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, and chairman of the programme, commended the students for their excellent performance, and urged them to remain focused in their studies.
He asked teachers to adhere to the ethics of the profession and refrain from unacceptable activities that jeopardised their work.
The Executive Chairman for the planning and organising committee, Nana Obrempong Hima Dekyi XIV, the Paramount Chief of Upper Dixcove Traditional Area, thanked the numerous sponsors for their invaluable assistance and their determination to ensure that education was accorded the importance it deserved in the region.
He said the competition was designed to improve the abilities of the contestants, inculcate in them team work and added that this year’s performance was better than the previous year’s.
Mr Gilbert Asmah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa Nsuaem on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, said the promotion of historical values of Ghana would provide the appropriate platform for the development and growth of the country.
He urged the MMDAs and District Education Directors to enforce measures to raise the level of education in their areas.
Mr Addo Dankwa Akuffo, the Western Regional Director of Education who congratulated the participants for their sterling performance, also commended the sponsors for their invaluable assistance.
Mr Robert Siaw, the Regional Manager for Community Relations, Goldfield Ghana Limited, headline sponsors of the quiz competition, said education held the key to development and that was why Goldfield had agreed to sponsor the programme.
Ms Sally Acheampong, the CSR Coordinator of Takoradi International Company (TAQA-TICO), commended the traditional leaders of the region for championing education which was in line with TICO’s vision.
The winners of the competition received prizes some of which included a trophy, HP laptop, multipurpose printer, medals, textbooks, plaques and certificates. They also received Mathematics, Science, English and Information Communication Technology textbooks.
Ghanaian music icon, Akwasi Poku Addae, known in Showbiz circles as Kwaisey Pee has honoured his promise to children suffering from cancer.
Ahead of his 25th anniversary event held at the D’ Icon Event Centre at East Legon last year, he made a promise to donate some funds to children suffering from cancer.
True to his word, the musician has recently made a donation of GHC50,000 to the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He told the Ghanaian Times that children are so dear to him, and was optimistic the support would go a long way too impact lives.
The music dynamo also promised that the gesture will not be the last,” it will be a continuous feature from me.”
He also called on Ghanaians home and abroad to lend a helping hand to children suffering from cancer.
According to him, children with cancer have many needs, and a helping hands will go a long way ease the suffering.
“Cancer treatment is very expensive, and leaving that to parents of the children alone, will be a huge burden, with support from you and myself, we can make some changes in other people’s lives,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
A disagreement has emerged between Member of Parliament for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere-Duah, and energy consultant Kwadwo Poku over government funding for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The debate centred on government’s decision to budget about 13 million dollars to support the national team, even though FIFA is expected to provide an appearance fee of about 10.5 million dollars if Ghana qualifies for the tournament.
During the discussion on Joys news , Mr Poku questioned why the government should allocate such an amount when FIFA already provides funds to participating countries.
According to him, the appearance fee alone should help cover some of the country’s expenses.
He argued that if FIFA is giving Ghana 10.5 million dollars simply for qualifying for the tournament, it raises questions about the need for the government to appropriate additional funds.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, explained that the government’s allocation was part of advance planning captured in the national budget even before the final qualification results were known.
He noted that the budget for the tournament period was prepared in November 2025, when it was not certain that Ghana would qualify.
He stressed that budgeting does not automatically mean the entire amount will be spent.
According to him, the funds are meant to prepare the team from the start of the competition period until the end of the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah explained that if the team exits the tournament early, the full amount allocated in the budget will not be used.
Mr Poku maintained that FIFA already provides financial support to teams for participating in the World Cup and insisted that the government must clearly justify additional spending.
The discussion extended to the role of the Ghana Football Association in managing the national teams.
Mr Poku described the association as a private institution and argued that FIFA also operates as a private body that does not allow government interference.
He explained that FIFA provides funds to teams to support their preparation and participation in the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, maintained that national teams represent the country and require government support to operate effectively.
By: Jacob Aggrey
