Hot!
WASSCE takes off smoothly nationwide
This year’s West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) took off to a smooth start across the country albeit in an unusual fashion due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the safety protocols outlined to ensure the wellbeing of the students who are also the first batch of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, the student were made to abide strictly by the all the safety protocols even as they sat for their examination.
Apart from wearing of nose masks, washing and sanitising of hand with alcohol-based sanitisers, there was strict adherence to the social distancing protocols.
Whiles some were made to undertake their practical exams in well spaced out classrooms, others were to occupy their school assembly halls with others made to undertake theirs under erected canopies.
Elsie Commodore & Gloria Nsiah Mintah report that some schools in Accra, including, Saint Thomas Aquinas SHS, Osu Salem SHS, Accra Girls SHS, Holy Trinity Cathedral SHS and the Labone SHS to monitor the ongoing examination revealed that examination took off to a smooth start.
At the Saint Thomas Aquinas SHS 46 Visual Arts Students out of the 713 final year students were taking part in the sculpture paper while 88 students out of 707at the Osu Salem SHS took part in ceramics paper.
The headmaster of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Mr Amoasi Paul Baidoo said aside using classrooms; canopies were being mounted to aid in observing social distancing.
“Because of the COVID-19, we are using three classes and the canopies for the exams, thereby, allowing 11 students in each hall and under the canopies” he stated.
On his part, the Assistant Headmaster for Osu Salem, Academics, Mr Moses Abotsi stated that some personnel had been stationed in the classrooms to make sure students were observing the protocols.
“We also insist that the temperature of each student is taken before exams is written and ensure they are well spaced out to prevent the spread of the COVID-19,” he said.
He also mentioned that, from the demeanour of students, they were psychologically prepared, as each student that came to the centre was calm and went about the process of being searched.
From Koforidua, Ama Takyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman reports that, a total of 56,467 candidates made up of 27,117 males and 29,350 females were writing the WASSCE which began yesterday.
A visit by the Ghanaian Times to New Juaben Senior High, Koforidua Secondary Technical, Oti Boateng and Oyoko Methodist Senior High School observed that, the temperature of students were checked at the entrance before they were allowed into the school.
Also Veronica buckets were placed at vantage points to promote hand washing. Students were also seen in the nose masks while social distancing was observed.
At Oti Boateng SHS, a WAEC examiner, Mr Cefas Amenu told the Times that 53 candidates were writing while Oyoko Methodist Senior High School had 50 candidates.
Some SHS in the Ho Municipality began this year’s WASSCE, also observing the COVID-19 safety measures. Grace Senam Klay reports from the Volta Region.
When the Ghanaian Times visited Mawuli SHS, it was observed that all students and invigilators at the exams center were in nose masks and the center had a hand washing station, with similar trend being observed at Mawuko Girls SHS.
In an interview with the assistant headmaster in charge of Academics at Mawuli SHS, Mr Shadrack Abiwu mentioned that 32 Visual Art students were partaking in picture making, graphic design, and textile project work, while 99 candidates were also taking part in the project work at Mawuko Girls.
Daniel Dzirasah reports from the Ahafo Region that, three schools; Ola Girls, Samuel Otoo Presbyterian SHS at Techimantia and Bechem had recorded cases of the COVID-19, the Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Peter Attafuah said.
He expressed satisfaction over the level of preparation made by the various schools in the region ahead of the ongoing WASSCE in the region.
A visit to some schools in the Sunyani Municipality where the exams had started showed that, the candidates were ready and poised for the exams as of 9:36am.
Also, from Kumasi in the Ashati Region, Kingsley E. Hope reports that, there was strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols in various schools visited by the Ghanaian Times yesterday.
Assistant Headmaster at the Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, Samson Kofi Gyasi, told the paper that, out of a total of 942 candidates for examination, 112 of them were doing the practicals.
At the Asanteman SHS, the Headmaster, Nathaniel Antwi Asamoah said that, 928 candidates were registered to write the WASSCE for 2020, with 60 of them registered to write the practical examination at the Visual Arts department.
The Ghanaian Times’ visit to the Opoku Ware Senior High School revealed that, 1,001 registered candidates would be sitting for the WASSCE, out of which, 60 had registered to write the practical examination in graphics at the Visual Arts department.
Similarly, at the Kumasi Secondary and Technical SHS, it was gathered that, 74 candidates were present for the practical examination in graphics out of a total of 872, although two were said to be absent at the time of our visit.
Samuel Akapule also reports from Bolgatanga that, the WASSCE had started smoothly in the Upper East Region under strict supervision in the various examination centres in the region.
Meanwhile, the Headmistress of the Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS), Mrs Patricia Anaba stated that, school did not receive some of the personal protective equipment (PPE), including, nose masks and hand sanitisers, but the school managed to procure some of the hand sanitisers to be used during the examinations.
By Times Reporters
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
