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‘Conduct background checks on people recruited as teachers’
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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
Businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has denied reports linking him to a takeover bid for the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
His reaction follows a demonstration by members of the VALCO Labour Union today, during which some protesters alleged that Mr. Mahama was interested in acquiring the state-owned aluminium company.
In a statement issued by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman said he has “no such interest” and has not made any offer to acquire VALCO.
“The allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement said.
The statement added that Mr. Mahama’s business track record speaks for itself, describing his companies as “some of the best-run operations across the African continent.”
It further noted that all of Mr. Mahama’s business interests were “legally commenced or acquired” and operate within the law a fact it said explains why his businesses have endured across seven election cycles.
“Mr. Mahama remains committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond,” the statement added.
The statement also disclosed that Mr. Mahama has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action over the publication and allegations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The leadership of Kristo Asafo has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets that the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will be buried on July 30, 2026, describing the claim as false.
The current head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo, Kwadwo Safo Akofena Kantanka, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra today.
He said no burial date has been set and urged members of the church and the general public to disregard any unofficial announcements.
“I urge the members of Kristo Asafo and the nation to disregard any burial date out there,” Akofena said.
He further stressed that neither the leadership of the church nor the Kantanka family has made any such announcement regarding the funeral.
According to him, all official funeral arrangements will be communicated only through a formal statement from the Kantanka family when the time is due.
Akofena Safo Kantanka said the family remains united in ensuring that the final funeral rites are conducted in a manner that befits the legacy of the late Apostle.
He called on Ghanaians to remain calm and wait for the official communication from the family, warning against the spread of misinformation.
Background
Apostle Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, passed away recently, plunging the church and the nation into mourning.
The late Apostle was widely known not only as a religious leader but also as an industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Kantanka Group of Companies, which manufactures vehicles and other machinery in Ghana.
Since his passing, there has been heightened public interest in his funeral arrangements.
It would be recalled that a faction of the siblings and family led by former MP Adwoa Safo had earlier announced a proposed burial date and arrangements.
That announcement, however, has been rejected by the current leadership of both the church and the family.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
