News
‘Conduct background checks on people recruited as teachers’
The Head of School at Hilltop Internationally British School (HIBS), Mr Patrick Kwasi Essiam, has called for changes in the manner school teachers are recruited, mooting the idea that more background checks should be conducted to know the people in whose hands children are entrusted.
According to him, if the current way of recruiting teachers were not changed, “we may end up recruiting teachers with very good certificates with very bad characters. With such teachers in the system, it will be difficult to end some of the negative incidences recorded in educational institutions.”
He gave the advice when he addressed students and parents at the school’s 12th graduation ceremony of the school on Saturday, June 27.
It was under the theme: ‘A New Phase Begins: Shaping Tomorrow with Cambridge Excellence.’
The call comes on the wake of cases of sexual misconducts recorded at some schools which has heightened calls for safeguarding of children in schools.
In June 2026, a teacher at Bole Senior High School in the Savannah Region was interdicted after a disturbing video surfaced online allegedly showing misconduct with a female student.
In October 2025, at Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School, students secretly filmed a teacher engaged in inappropriate acts with a female student in his office.
Similar cases across several schools have sparked public outrage, with many calling for a disciplinary action, and a renewed debate about accountability in classrooms.
Mr Essiam said government must legislate a mandatory background check on individuals shortlisted for recruitment — including criminal record, psychological fitness assessments, and teaching aptitude tests.
According to him, the system must not trust only certificate holders, saying that; “We must check extensively to know the real character of the person we are engaging to take care of children. A university certificate should not be the only reference.”
“We are now having many people who are not fit to be teachers in the classroom — all because of failure to thoroughly check their background.”
He cautioned that if the system was not monitored properly, Ghana risks filling classrooms with ‘imposters’.
The ceremony at the Daban campus saw 73 students graduate across four streams. Fourteen pupils advanced from Cambridge Primary to lower secondary after Checkpoint exams, 23 moved from Year 9 into upper secondary, 18 completed the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and progressed to Advanced Level, while another 18 finished the Ghana Education Service (GES) Senior High School stream, having written the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Proprietress, Mrs Cecilia Agyei- Amoako, traced the institution’s journey from the founding Hilltop Platinum School 30 years ago, through the Cambridge-focused HIBS established 14 years ago, to the addition of a GES Senior High School four years ago. She dismissed rumours about fees, stressing that: “School fees are paid in local currency.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
News
Explorer’s 60-Day Tuk-Tuk Tour Promotes Ghana Tourism and Raises Support for Deaf and Blind Schools
Ghanaian explorer and author Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama has embarked on a 60-day nationwide tour across Ghana in a tuk-tuk to promote tourism, showcase local communities, and raise funds to support deaf and blind schools across the country.
The initiative, dubbed ‘60-Day Drive Across Ghana on a Tuk-Tuk,’ seeks to position Ghana as a destination for meaningful tourism while drawing attention to the educational and infrastructure needs of children with disabilities.
The expedition, which began in Accra in May, will cover all 16 regions of Ghana, more than 100 communities, over 20 tourist attractions, and approximately 5,000 kilometres before its completion.
Speaking in Tamale during the Northern Regional leg of the journey, Princess Umul said the project was inspired by her extensive travels to more than 90 countries across five continents and her belief that Ghana’s greatest tourism asset is the warmth and hospitality of its people.
She said, that the initiative aims to promote domestic tourism, increase visibility for community-based tourism enterprises, encourage patronage of Made-in-Ghana products, and raise GH¢10 million over a five-year period to support infrastructure improvements in ten schools for deaf and blind children.
She said, apart from the leaking roofs, broken ceilings and infrastructure defects in Savelugu School for the Deaf, the school has also been invaded by bats, making the stench unbearable.
“The journey has not been easy, but the purpose behind it keeps us moving. We are appealing to individuals, institutions, and corporate organisations to support this initiative so that together we can improve educational opportunities for children with disabilities while promoting Ghana’s tourism potential,” she said.
She said, departing Accra on May 17, the team has travelled through parts of the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Oti, Northern and Savannah regions, covering more than 2,035 kilometres.
Md. Hatiyya said, tourism sites visited include the James Town Lighthouse and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, Lake Volta at Akwamufie, Mount Gemi at Amedzofe, Kyabobo National Park in the Oti Region, the Dambai Ferry Port, Bontanga Dam in the Northern Region, and the Salaga Slave Market Museum in the Savannah Region.
As part of the expedition, the team has also engaged traditional authorities, community leaders, local government officials and tourism stakeholders to discuss opportunities for strengthening tourism development and preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Among the traditional leaders visited are the Kumbungu Naa, Yo Naa of Savelugu, Tibung Lana, Dalun Lana and Zangbalung Na.
Princess Hatiyya described visits to the Savelugu School for the Deaf and interactions with hearing-impaired adults in the northern Region said, was one of the most memorable moments of the journey so far.
She noted that the encounters had reinforced the importance of investing in facilities and opportunities for children and persons living with disabilities.
The expedition she said, has also attracted significant public attention, with residents, motorists and market traders expressing interest in the campaign and making donations towards its objectives.
According to Princess Hatiyya, the project will culminate in a documentary series and a 30-minute film highlighting Ghana’s tourism assets, cultural heritage, community stories and the experiences encountered during the journey.
The organisers expect the initiative to contribute to increased visibility for tourism destinations, stimulate interest in domestic travel, promote cultural preservation and encourage greater investment in tourism infrastructure and community development.
Princess Umul Hatiyya commended donors and supporters who have contributed to the initiative and appealed for additional support to help achieve its fundraising target for deaf and blind schools across the country.
She expressed confidence that the journey would not only showcase Ghana’s tourism potential but also inspire greater national support for children living with disabilities.
“We have witnessed extraordinary kindness and hospitality from Ghanaians throughout this journey. It confirms that Ghana has a unique story to tell the world, and we are proud to be sharing that story one community at a time,” she said.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Tamale.
The Regional Maritime University (RMU) on Saturday, held its 20th Congregation, graduating a total of 368 students with master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and diplomas in various disciplines.
The graduating class comprised 82 master’s degree holders, 213 bachelor’s degree recipients and 73 diploma graduates.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, described the maritime sector as a critical driver of Ghana’s economic transformation and job creation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening maritime education and industry development.
He said the government recognises the strategic role of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in producing the skilled workforce needed to support national development and the growth of the blue economy.
To this end, he said, government was aligning maritime education with national development priorities, including the 24-hour Economy policy and modern supply chain integration.
Mr Nikpe, who also serves as Chancellor of the RMU and Chairman of its Board of Governors, made the remarks at the university’s 20th Congregation in Accra on Saturday.
He pledged Ghana’s commitment to repositioning the RMU as a globally competitive maritime training hub capable of producing world-class professionals to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving global maritime industry.
According to him, the sector was undergoing significant transformation driven by automation, digitalisation and the growing global transition towards environmentally sustainable shipping practices.
He stressed that the university must stay ahead of these developments by modernising its training systems, strengthening research capacity and embracing technological innovation.
The minister assured the university that, under his leadership, the Ministry of Transport would pursue strategic partnerships to facilitate access to advanced marine engineering technologies, modern training infrastructure and sustainable research funding.
He also commended the university’s management and faculty for their resilience and commitment to training competent maritime professionals despite the rapidly changing global shipping environment.
The Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the RMU, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr, congratulated the graduates on their perseverance and hard work, urging them to remain worthy ambassadors of the university wherever they found themselves.
He, however, outlined a number of challenges confronting the university, including inadequate infrastructure, encroachment on university lands and irregular water supply.
Dr Brooks appealed to member states and the Government of Ghana to support efforts to address these challenges to enable the university to fully deliver on its mandate as the region’s premier maritime training institution.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding staff and students for their academic excellence, dedication and contributions to the growth of the university.
In the staff category, Mr Michael Odai Odiko was named Employee of the Year (Senior Staff – Teaching), while the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Award was presented to Mr Jone Addai-Marfo in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the university’s development over the years.
Among the graduates, Akomaning Patricia Agyeiwaa emerged as the Best Overall Postgraduate Student and also received the award for Best Student in M.A. Ports and Shipping Administration.
Prince Kofi Boamah won the Best Student award in M.Sc. International Shipping and Logistics, while Peprah William Frimpong was adjudged Best Student in M.Sc. Electrical Power Engineering.
Abayateye Desmond was named Best Overall Undergraduate Student and also received the award for Best Student in B.Sc. Nautical Science.
Other undergraduate award winners were Nartey Nelly Afi (B.Sc. Ports and Shipping Administration), Mensah Cecil Niibi (B.Sc. Logistics Management), Okyere Evans Nkrumah (B.Sc. Marine Engineering), Aggey Valentine (B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering), Akpakli Marcellina Awovi (B.Sc. Electrical/Electronic Engineering), Attiogbe Joseph Foli (B.Sc. Computer Engineering) and Osabu-Kle Claude Nii Adjei (B.Sc. Computer Science).
In the diploma category, Adjei Jerry Adjetey was recognised as the Best Student in Marine Engineering, Kwessie Nathan Afful received the award for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mac-Teye Ericson Kwesi Nartey emerged as the Best Student in Nautical Science, while Amponsah Franca Naana was named Best Student in Ports and Shipping Management.
Several other students also received prizes sponsored by industry partners and alumni, including the Rear Admiral David Animle Memorial Prize in Nautical Science, the J.N. Mante Award for Excellence, the C.N.M. Pappoe Award, the 1958/59 Inaugural Class Alumni Excellence Award, the Abdulai-Saiku Award, the Charkins Maritime & Offshore Safety Centre Prize in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, the Stark Energy Limited Award for Best Graduating B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering Student, and the Hafnia Shipping Company Limited Awards.
Members of the Sierra Leone Committee of Experts were also recognised and honoured for their invaluable contributions to the sustained growth and development of the university over the years.
