News
Auditor-General Report: GH¢816.720.71 nurses hostel not pre-audited
The Auditor-General has stated that the payment of GH¢816,720.71 for the construction of nursing training hostel, teachers quarters and a 3-unit classroom block at Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region was never pre-audited.
This was contained in the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Capital Projects Funded through District Development Facility (DDF) in 30 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in Ghana from 2008-2018.
The report, which painted a gloomy picture of blatant disregard to laid-down procedures in state institutions, particularly with regard to payment for execution of projects, said internal auditors were sometimes made to stamp and backdate payment vouchers after payments had already been effected.
In some instances, the report noted that the requirement to pre-audit was ignored before payments are made.
“In the course of the audit, we observed that internal audit processes at the district level are disregarded thereby making them weak and undermining the control mechanism. Internal auditors are either by-passed or made to validate payment certificates without verifying the work done.”
It said even for some of the best scenarios for example, in the Asante Akyem North District Assembly, four out of fourteen payments were not audited while at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly five out of eleven of the payment vouchers were not audited before payments were made.
The report said it found out that payments made against work done on site, were made for non-executed works resulting in overpayments.
For example, it said the pavement work at the taxi station of Ho barracks was paid in full when only 50 per cent of the work was done.
In some instance, items that were specified for installation were omitted yet payments were made like the U drain around the Bibiani Police headquarters, which was not done yet paid in full.
In Prestea Huni Valley, the report said that the specified depth of the borehole at Gordon Community was 35 to 45 metres for a mechanised pump. Upon completion of the drilling, an AFRIDEV hand pump recommended for a depth of 16.6 to 30 metres was installed and therefore was not deep enough to pump out water from below 35meters when it was completed and handed over.
The contractor was paid in full for a mechanised borehole when he provided a manual hand pump borehole and the community had no water.
“We observed that MMDAs make payment for no work done due to insufficient
due diligence and familiarisation. In the individual reports, we have recommended for disallowance and surcharge of the individuals concerned.”
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
News
CSA marks Cyber Security Awareness Month with maiden National Cybersecurity Education Conference in Accra
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has held the maiden National Cybersecurity Education Conference in Accra to promote cyber resilience and digital rights in Ghana’s education sector.
The conference, organised at the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) auditorium, formed part of activities to mark this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month, under the theme “Empowering Higher Education for Cyber Resilience and Digital Rights.”
Speaking at the event, the Acting Director-General of the CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, said the theme reflects a shared national commitment by the Authority, the Ministry of Education, GTEC, and all tertiary institutions to build a secure and responsible digital future.
He explained that cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion globally by the end of 2025, making it one of the biggest economic threats in history. Meanwhile, there remains a shortfall of about four million cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
Mr. Agbeti said Ghana’s rapid digitalisation, where nearly 70 percent of the population relies on the internet for education, governance, and commerce has also increased exposure to cyber risks.
He noted that tertiary institutions have faced cyber incidents such as grade alteration, forged certificates, exam leakages, sextortion, and admission scams, which threaten student welfare and institutional credibility.
He revealed that the education sector has been designated as critical information infrastructure, and protecting it is essential to national security and development.
For that reason, he revealed that the CSA has prioritised education within Ghana’s National Cyber Resilience Strategy, guided by the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy.
According to Mr. Agbeti, the CSA is working with GTEC and the Ministry of Education to integrate cybersecurity into teaching, learning, and institutional management.
“A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been submitted to GTEC to formalise the development of a National Cybersecurity Competency and Qualification Framework, which will create a clear learning path from basic cyber literacy to advanced professional certification” he added.
He further announced that the Authority is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to establish an Education Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (EDU-SCERT) to coordinate responses to cyber incidents across universities and colleges.
Mr. Agbeti added that the CSA has reached over 5.6 million adults with cybersecurity awareness programmes between January and October 2025, compared to only 102,000 people reached in 2022, a sign of growing national awareness.
“Cybersecurity can no longer be limited to IT departments or computer labs. Every student, whether studying medicine, law, or business, should have basic knowledge of digital safety and responsibility,” he emphasised.
He commended GTEC, the Ministry of Education, and the Accra Technical University for partnering to organise the event, calling for the conference to become an annual platform for dialogue between academia, industry, and policymakers.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Education, the Executive Director of CENDLOS, Prof. Diyawu Mumin, said the education sector faces an average of 2,507 cyberattacks weekly globally, making it one of the most targeted sectors worldwide.
He disclosed that between January and October 2025, Ghana’s National Cyber Security Emergency Response Team identified 505 leaked employee credentials and over 5,000 stealer logs belonging to educational institutions, many of which were available for sale on the dark web.
Prof. Mumin said the Ministry recognises that effective policy is the first line of defence in protecting the education system.
He mentioned that the Ministry, in collaboration with the CSA, GTEC, and other stakeholders, has reviewed Ghana’s ICT in Education Policy and EdTech Strategy to embed cybersecurity and digital safety across all levels of learning.
He encouraged GTEC to expedite the signing of the MoU with the CSA to start implementing the cybersecurity competency framework, adding that cybersecurity should be a general course across all disciplines, not just in IT.
“Our vision is for every student, regardless of discipline, to graduate with a grounding in cybersecurity and digital ethics. Universities must treat cybersecurity as a matter of governance and national security, not merely a technical subject,” he stated.
Prof. Mumin also confirmed that the Ministry is working with the CSA to establish an Education Sector Computer Emergency Response Team, which will detect, coordinate, and respond to cyber incidents in the education ecosystem.
He called for urgent action against admission scams, sextortion, cyberbullying, and certificate forgery, which he said threaten trust in Ghana’s educational institutions.
The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, in his remarks, said safeguarding Ghana’s digital future must begin from the classroom, the laboratory, and the lecture hall.
He described the theme as visionary and relevant, noting that while digital transformation has improved teaching and research, it has also exposed institutions to cyber threats that can cripple systems and compromise data.
Prof. Jinapor said cybersecurity is no longer the sole responsibility of IT departments but a civic and educational duty that demands ethical reflection and institutional leadership.
He revealed that GTEC is integrating cybersecurity awareness into quality assurance frameworks, programme accreditation, and institutional audits, and reaffirmed the Commission’s partnership with the CSA to make cybersecurity education a national priority.
“Universities and colleges must produce not only employable graduates but resilient ones. individuals who understand the value of information, the sanctity of privacy, and the ethical use of technology,” he said.
He added that GTEC would continue to encourage curriculum reforms to ensure that cybersecurity education cuts across all disciplines and institutions.
Prof. Jinapor urged tertiary institutions to allocate resources for digital security, train staff and students to recognise risks, and adopt robust response systems, stressing that cyber resilience will soon define institutional credibility just as accreditation defines academic standards.
He concluded that Ghana’s youthful population and expanding tertiary sector give the country a unique opportunity to become a continental leader in cybersecurity education and policy innovation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced that the suspension on professional boxing in Ghana will officially be lifted on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
This follows months of consultations between the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) responsible for overseeing reforms in the sport.
According to the NSA, significant progress has been made in addressing the key concerns that led to the suspension, including improvements in medical and safety protocols, governance, and administrative structures.
The Authority said these reforms mark a major step toward reviving Ghana’s rich boxing heritage and ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes.
Some of the new measures include the publication of medical and safety manuals, the establishment of a functional Interim Medical Commission, a centralized medical database, an approved insurance framework, and the certification of ringside and medical staff.
The NSA commended the IMC, athletes, and all stakeholders for their patience and cooperation throughout the reform process.
It added that the new systems will make Ghanaian boxing more credible, safe, and internationally respected.
The Authority called on local and international promoters to bring global bouts and collaborations to Ghana under the enhanced standards.
In the coming weeks, the NSA will roll out educational programs and new partnerships aimed at improving the welfare of Ghanaian boxers and promoting the sport’s growth.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to working with all partners to ensure a safe, professional, and sustainable future for Ghanaian boxing.
By: Jacob Aggrey
