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‘Private school education in Ghana likely to face problems’
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The Acting National President of the Ghana Association of Private Schools (GAPS), Mr Domastus Tuurosong , said private school education in the country was likely to face serious problems if urgent steps were not taken to support their administrative operations.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator, he said it would be extremely difficult for private schools to operate at half capacity class- sizes to help curtail further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that such a situation demanded that more teachers were employed to assist, but was quick to ask,” How will the school authorities generate enough money to pay the salaries of the additional staff?”
He lamented that unlike corporations which had commenced operations when some lockdown restrictions were relaxed, schools remained closed until recently when the final-year students were required to resume classes pending their examinations, a situation where school fees would not be paid.
” We are confronted with the problem of how to generate funds to pay the salaries of teachers who are preparing the final-year students ,” he said.
Mr Tuurosong said though the schools were provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), these items which were used frequently could not last, and the schools had to supplement.
He also lamented that private schools could not afford the construction of fence walls around their premises to prevent unauthorised persons from intruding their premises to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Mr Tuurosong has appealed to the government to make it possible for private schools to benefit from the stimulus package for small and medium scale enterprises in the country.
He said unlike other businesses which generated income for their sustenance, it was unfortunate that schools did not, hence the precarious situation in which they operated.
By Raymond Kyekye
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has questioned why Ghana continues to import toothpicks despite having the resources to produce them locally.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu, who previously served as Minister for Trade and Industry, said he feels ashamed that the country still depends on imports for such a basic product.
“I have been Minister for Trade and Industry before and I carry the shame. How come that in Ghana we cannot produce toothpicks and we have to import them?” he asked.
According to him, Ghana has enough resources to support local businesses to manufacture products such as toothpicks instead of relying on imports. He said the country should encourage private sector investment in manufacturing to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Mr. Iddrisu alleged that some people who received government support under private sector initiatives failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.
“If you want, Honorable Kojo, because you… I can’t go there. There are people who took money in the name of the private sector and said they were going to farm. That money never went to their farms. You know that,” he told Parliament.
On job creation, the Education Minister said he agreed with the views expressed by a colleague on the need to create more employment opportunities. However, he argued that the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme did not provide the solution to Ghana’s employment challenges.
Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks during parliamentary proceedings while contributing to discussions on job creation and the country’s industrial development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications officer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged GH¢55 million case, insisting that no such issue was raised during his detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In a Facebook post after his release from EOCO custody, Mr Aboagye stated that at no point during his detention was he questioned about any GH¢55 million.
“For the records: There was no discussion of any GH¢55 million with me by EOCO. None,” he wrote.
According to him, he was detained for four days, a day after announcing his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Aboagye alleged that false narratives were circulated about his arrest but expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail.
He thanked NPP supporters who demonstrated and called for his release, saying news of the protests reached him while he was in detention and encouraged him.
Mr Aboagye indicated that the support shown by party faithful strengthened his resolve and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the NPP.
He maintained that his detention had not discouraged him from pursuing his political ambition.
“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he stated.
Mr Aboagye expressed appreciation to his legal team, the leadership of the NPP and all supporters who stood by him throughout his detention.
He reiterated his determination to lead the party’s Communications Directorate, declaring that he remained “ready to win” and committed to what he described as the party’s mission to “command the narrative.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
