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Don’t impose additional burdens on families- CRI
The Executive Director of Child Rights International (CRI), Mr Bright Appiah, has called on government not to impose additional financial burdens on families whose children are beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
The call was in reaction to concerns over proposals suggesting that parents should bear additional costs related to the Free SHS policy, including expenses for food and accommodation.
He argues that such measures undermine the policy’s fundamental principles of equity, inclusivity, and universal access to secondary education.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Bright Appiah, CRI emphasised that the Free SHS policy was designed to eliminate financial barriers to education, ensuring that all children have equal opportunities.
“Requiring parents to shoulder feeding and accommodation costs, according to him, introduces inequalities and contradicts the policy’s original intent,” Mr Appiah stated.
He underscored that while logistical challenges in implementing Free SHS persist, it is the responsibility of the government and implementing authorities to resolve these issues, not parents.
He called for direct engagement between stakeholders and the government to address any operational or systemic flaws.
Highlighting Ghana’s commitment to international child rights standards, including the Children’s Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, he reiterated that policies affecting children must prioritise their well-being.
Mr Appiah called on stakeholders to refrain from actions that could deprive students of essential needs like food and accommodation, reaffirming that every child has a right to education without impediments.
“As stakeholders we have the mandate to collaborate and find solutions that would protect and enhance Free SHS policy to secure a brighter future for Ghanaian children and the nation as a whole,” he said.
Mr Appiah reaffirmed CRI’s dedication to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring that educational policies do not compromise access to education.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
News
Government Accountability Series: Minister for Foreign Affairs renders account on performance of Ministry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on Monday, September 15, 2025, took its turn at the Government Accountability Series to provide updates on the implementation of Ghana’s Foreign Policy.
The Minister highlighted achievements regarding scholarships, consular assistance, operations of Missions abroad, reforms put in place to enhance transparency and service delivery.
He announced that the Ministry secured over 1,500 scholarships for Ghanaians through its bilateral relations.
He added that in the quest for Ghana to become the educational hub in the sub-region, Ghana is offering 1000 scholarships to ECOWAS students in priority fields.
On the issue of Ghanaians who had to seek refuge in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso due to the crisis in Gbinyiri, the Honourable Minister disclosed that 8000 had already returned from Côte d’Ivoire and Government was working with the relevant authorities in Burkina Faso to provide the needed consular assistance to facilitate their return.
The Minister announced the decision to open Consulates in Lisbon, Dublin, Massachusetts and Singapore to enhance Ghana’s diplomatic presence.
He also informed that the Embassy in Iran, which was temporarily closed would reopen on September 16,2025 and assured of the Ministry’s commitment to ensure the safety of the Staff of the Mission and other Ghanaian nationals in the country.
With regard to reforms on passport administration, the Minister informed that there was a Bill before Parliament to revise the current fees for passport.
Responding to questions from the media, he stressed that the arrangement with the United States of America to receive West African deportees was based on Pan-Africanism and not on financial considerations.
He also mentioned that the Chinese Government was committed in collaborating with Ghana to resolve the menace of illegal mining. Contrary to speculations, the Minister stated emphatically that past leaders of the country receive necessary courtesies.
He concluded by announcing Ghana’s participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly and indicated that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama would deliver his statement on 25th September 2025.
He then reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency by keeping the Ghanaian public informed.
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
