News
Over 80% of BECE candidates score above aggregate 30 — Prof. Duwieju
PROFESSOR Duwiejua Mahama, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has expressed concern about the poor performance of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the Sissala East and Sissala West Districts.
He noted that more than 80 per cent of students scored aggregate 30 and above, describing this as worrying.
Speaking at the 40th anniversary and graduation ceremony of the Tumu College of Education, Prof. Mahama urged the college to conduct a thorough study into the persistent low performances of Junior High School students in the two districts.
He highlighted that in the 2024 BECE results, no candidate in Sissala East obtained aggregates between seven and 10, while only one student scored between 11 and 15, representing less than one per cent of the 1,249 candidates presented.
He further disclosed that about 89 per cent of candidates in Sissala East scored an aggregate of 30 and above, describing the situation as discouraging.
In Sissala West, the trend was similar, with no candidate obtaining aggregates between seven and 15, while about 72 per cent scored 30 and above.
“Where are all these children going?” Prof. Mahama questioned, stressing that such results limited students’ access to quality second-cycle institutions and future opportunities.
He indicated that the problem was not limited to the two districts but reflected broader challenges confronting rural education across the region.
Prof. Mahama urged the Tumu College of Education, as it celebrates 40 years of teacher training, to take up the responsibility of researching the causes and proposing practical solutions to address the chronic underperformance in rural basic schools.
He noted that the college’s mandate to train competent teachers, particularly for rural communities, places it in a strategic position to help reverse the trend.
Prof. Mahama congratulated the graduating teachers but reminded them that they were inheriting not only a legacy of excellence but also the responsibility to improve learning outcomes in underserved communities.
He encouraged them to embrace perseverance, integrity, and commitment as they stepped into classrooms to help transform the educational fortunes of the Sissala area and beyond.
—GNA
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The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
