News
COVID-19: Final year JHS students back to school today
Final year Junior High School (JHS) students across the country are expected to return to school today to prepare for their exit examination.
As part of measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),following the country recording its first case on March 12, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo outlined a number of measures which included closing of schools from the university to the basic level.
The closure of schools compelled all school children to stay home for more than 12 weeks.
However, in his 10th televised address on the COVID-19 pandemic, the President announced the resumption of academic work for all final year students at various levels of education.
Beginning June 15 for tertiary students and June 22 for Senior High School, the JHS students would have their turn today, June 29.
The president also indicated that, upon their return, JHS 3 classes would comprise a maximum of 30 students.
In addition, President Akufo-Addo said each student, teacher, and non-teaching staff would be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education, he added.
He therefore tasked the Ministry of Information, the National Commission for Civic Education and the media to intensify public education on protocols and directions on the disease.
He also called on all religious, traditional, community and opinion leaders to continue to partner with government in engaging, mobilising and enforcing adherence to social distancing and personal hygiene practices in their respective communities.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has explained that all JHS candidates were expected to undergo eleven weeks of revision, followed by their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in September this year.
Announcing detailed guidelines for the re-opening of schools following the president’s announcement the sector minister, Dr Prempeh said that, it would embark on a massive exercise aimed at getting all final year students to the classroom.
Already, final year tertiary and Senior High School (SHS) students have resumed teaching and learning for the past six weeks and would take their respective examination.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
