Category: Education

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, has urged stakeholders in the education sector to invest in professional marketing education to shape Ghana’s future.

In a speech read on his behalf, he said through such investments, the country could unlock new opportunities, drive sustainable development, and position itself as a competitive player on the global stage.

The Minister said this at the maiden Graduation Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) in Accra.

The ceremony witnessed the passing out of 119 professionals from different fields after successfully completing their CIMG Professional Marketing Qualifications following its launch in April 2021.

Dr Adutwum congratulated them for achieving such a milestone and urged them to work together to harness the transformative power of marketing education for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

‘The future of marketing and marketing education in Ghana is bright and I have no doubt that you will play a pivotal role in shaping it for the gro
wth of Ghana. Go forth with confidence, passion, and a commitment to excellence, and may you achieve all your goals and aspirations in your service to Ghana,’ he said.

He said professional marketing education was a cornerstone for economic growth, innovation, and sustainability in any society, particularly in a dynamic and emerging economy like Ghana, its significance could not be overstated.

Dr Adutwum said it equipped individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify market opportunities, understand consumer behaviour and develop strategies to meet consumer needs.

He said by nurturing a pool of competent professional marketers, Ghana could stimulate domestic consumption, attract foreign investment, stir up economic recovery and foster entrepreneurship, all of which were essential for economic expansion and job creation.

‘In today’s interconnected world, international and national competition is fierce. Professional marketing education empowers skilled marketers to lead businesses to compet
e effectively in global markets.’

‘Through understanding global market trends, consumer preferences, and effective branding, Ghanaian firms can expand their reach beyond national borders, boosting exports and contributing to the country’s balance of trade.’

Dr Kasser Tee, National President of CIMG, urged the graduands to manifest the knowledge gained at their workplaces and change the narrative in industry by helping their organisations to build everything they did around the interest of the customer.

He said the only way to run a business sustainably was to build it around the customer by seriously considering customer needs and happenings within the business environment.

‘These, I must say, cannot and should not be based on guess work but on thorough research into all three components of the marketing environment plus researching into the existing and future needs of the customer. Findings of such exercises will then give us pointers on the right strategic direction for the business,’ he said.

The Pre
sident announced the passage of the CIMG Regulations 2023, (L.I. 2479) into force and called on business leaders to champion the continuous professional development of their professional marketing personnel to enable them to remain relevant and play the effective role of promoting and protecting the interest of customers in their organisations.

He encouraged non-marketing business executives to register and participate in CIMG’s certification programmes, either full professional marketing qualifications or the all year round short course certification programmes to enable them acquire knowledge and keep up with new trends in marketing.

Dr Tee admonished graduands with a Bible quote from Matthew 5:16, saying, ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven’.

He, therefore, urged them to let their good works manifest in how they provided marketing support to the various corporates and product brands they managed to bring glory
and pride to CIMG.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Headteacher of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Basic School at Keta, Madam Rebecca Girraldo Ackumey, has urged girls to make science and mathematics their ‘friendly subjects.’

That, she said, would enable them to build self-confidence in tackling both subjects successfully.

Madam Akumey, interacting with the Ghana News Agency to commemorate this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, said the occasion was to raise awareness on the significant barriers women and girls faced in those subject areas and how to overcome the challenges.

This year’s event was on the theme: ‘Women in Science Leadership: A New Era for Sustainability.’

The day was also aimed at putting a spotlight on the transformative potential inherent in fostering leadership roles for women and girls in science pursuits.

Madam Akumey explained that to honor the day, some maths and science lectures from the Nurses and Midwifery Training College in Keta were invited to teach the female students some practical aspects of sci
ence and its importance.

She said women and girls remained the catalyst for change in the realm of science and should be given the necessary support to excel and impact their society.

‘We need to produce more female doctors, engineers, nurses, lecturers, mathematicians, physicians and others to impact society positively,’ she added.

She urged the public to support the celebration as it served as a reminder that women and girls were indispensable contributors to science and technological communities, emphasising the need to fortify and amplify their participation.

The gap between the female and their male counterparts had persisted for far too long at all levels and should be addressed without further delay, Madam Akumey said.

She charged women and girls to accept leadership roles to enhance gender equality and empowerment.

The public, teachers, heads of institutions, among others must encourage and support women and girls to do away with fear and develop the confidence of studying maths and science for
their own benefits and that of society.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Seventh Day Adventist Senior High School (SHS) at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality secured a remarkable victory in the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) inaugural inter-schools quiz after by amassing 36 points. ?

The St James Seminary/SHS at Abesim, near Sunyani, came second with 33 points, while Twene Amanfo Senior High Technical School (Sunyani) was third with 30 points and Notre Dame Girls SHS (Fiapre) secured the fourth spot with 22.5 points. ?

The competition, held at the forecourt of the Cocoa House in Sunyani, was organized by the Brong-Ahafo Regional Office of COCOBOD, which was part of activities to mark the National Chocolate Day.? ?

The SDA SHS received a cash prize of GhC3,000.00, St James SHS/Seminary had GhC2, 000.00, Twene Amanfo SH/Technical School and Notre Dame Girls SHS had GhC 1,500.00 each. All the schools had assorted cocoa products in addition to the cash prizes. ?

Mr Michael P. K Asumanu, the Regional Administrator of COCOBOD, said the competition was to promote the consumpt
ion of cocoa products and raise awareness about their benefits for the youth and the general populace. ?

Madam Esther Boateng, the Deputy Regional Manager of the Seed Production Division, COCOBOD, who was the quiz mistress, commended the participants for their exemplary performance and encouraged them to explore the world of cocoa and its economic advantages. ?

Mrs Mavis Danso Darko, the Bono Regional Coordinator for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), expressed optimism?that the competition would become an annual event, serving as a valuable educational platform for students to learn about cocoa and its benefits.?

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Sunyani Technical University (STU) has set up a committee to investigate an alleged sex-for-grade scandal published in the media under the heading ‘Exposed sex hungry lecturers’.

A press release issued by Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, the Vice-Chancellor, a copy of which was sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said the Management was treating the allegation with utmost seriousness.

‘The attention of the Management of the University had been drawn to the series of media publications by Mr Owusu Agyekum, a former Student Representative Council President of the institution, alleging sex-for-grades scandal against some lecturers of the University,’ it said.

Management had swiftly set up a committee to investigate the matter to come up with findings and recommendations for necessary action, it said.

The University had strict zero-tolerance policy on all forms of sexual harassment or misconduct and the management would not tolerate any violation of the existing policies on such practices.

It assured all
stakeholders that any member of the University who would be found capable in those allegations would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the sexual harassment policy and the disciplinary code of the school.

The release appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm as the committee was investigating the matter, assuring that the outcome would be made public, and recommendations thereof implemented as appropriate.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Library Authority has organised a reading class for students of Zosimli Girls Junior High School (JHS) in Tamale to mark this year’s National Chocolate Day celebration.

     The event was an avenue to promote the culture of reading among young girls as well as educate them on issues of sexuality.

     The students were educated on Sexual Reproductive Health after a session of reading a series of moral lessons imbibed stories. 

     The National Chocolate Day is marked every February 14, to celebrate the county’s cocoa production and to promote the consumption of chocolate.

     This year’s Chocolate Day was on the theme: ‘Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana’.

     Mr Aaron Kuwornu, Northern Regional Director, Ghana Library Authority, speaking at the event, said it was necessary to promote literacy on the National Chocolate Day to ensure that young girls appreciated celebrating the Day with remarkable activities that enhanced their knowledge.

     He sai
d the girls, who would soon be out of JHS, needed to learn to appreciate themselves to embrace abstinence adding it was a way of encouraging them to pursue education further.

     He entreated the girls to always read stating that reading enhanced cognitive abilities and promoted analytical thinking. 

     Miss Khadijah Abdul-Samed, Communications and Gender Officer at Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) encouraged the students to make good use of the library and take care of the books as well as gadgets in the library to sustain them for future use.

     She said it was important to make notes while reading to serve as a reference for relevant information when needed.

     She urged the girls to be assertive, and confident and endeavour to always keep themselves safe and healthy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), an education think tank, has asked corporates to support efforts at addressing infrastructural challenges in basic schools to improve learning outcomes.

The NGO said collaboration between local Assemblies, religious groups, civil society organisations, and private institutions was critical in addressing the inadequacy of desks in public basic schools.

Mr Kofi Asare, the Executive Director, Eduwatch, said this on Wednesday at a draft Corporate Support Framework for Basic Education Infrastructure in Accra.

Data from the Ministry of Education as of 2021 revealed that over 2.3 million pupils did not have desks in public basic schools.

Also, over 5,000 basic schools exist under trees, sheds, and dilapidated structures.

He said even though the government was working to address desk deficits in basic schools, it was important for corporate institutions to support efforts at addressing the challenges.

He said the government was a key actor in supplying infrastructure proje
cts to schools but was challenged due to financial constraints.

He said Eduwatch, with the support of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, in partnership with the STAR-Ghana Foundation, was implementing a project dubbed ‘ SERVE III’.

The project, he said, was to promote girls’ participation in education through improved access to desks in public basic schools.

As part of the implementation of the project, he said a study on the impact of desk deficits in public basic schools on girls’ education was commissioned.

He said during a dissemination report in 2023, stakeholders recommended innovative collaborations and approaches towards supporting local Assemblies in providing infrastructure for schools.

The recommendation, he stressed, necessitated a collaboration between Eduwatch, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service, and the Ministry of Education to develop the framework.

He urged the participants to contribute to the discussions, adding that there would be a final high-level meet
ing to validate the framework for publication.

Madam Felicia Dappah, Chief Director, Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, said the framework, when developed, would improve the education and personal development of children of school-going age.

She encouraged all actors to contribute towards financing basic education infrastructure, especially desks in public basic schools.

The participants suggested the mounting of boxes at malls to solicit support from the public, while others called on the government to increase budget allocation for basic schools.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Thirty-one pastors and their wives within the Obuasi Area of the Church of Pentecost have donated 200 pieces of desks to the Asare Bediako Senior High School in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region.

The school, with a population of more than 1,500 students, had 600 desks, compelling two students to share mono desks – a situation that hampered effective academic work in the school.

It was against this background that the school management wrote to the Obuasi Area of the Church of Pentecost requesting more desks.

The church, in response, solicited funds from the 31 pastors and their wives to procure 200 pieces of desks to help mitigate the impact of inadequate furniture in the school.

Prophet David Kankam Beditor, Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, at a brief ceremony to present the desks, said he decided to follow up on the request of the school after spotting it in the handover notes of his predecessor, Apostle William Boakye Agyarko.

He commended the 30 other pastors in the Obuasi Area and
their wives for donating generously towards procuring the desks.

He advised the teachers to double their efforts in delivering quality education even in the face of challenges, while admonishing the students to handle the desk with care.

Dr. Emmanuel Asiedu, the Headmaster of the school, who received the desks, thanked the Church of Pentecost for coming to the aid of the school, describing the donation as a timely intervention.

He, however, called on other benevolent groups and institutions to also support the school to address its numerous challenges.

Established in 1993, the school also does not have a proper toilet facility with the only available facility in a deplorable state.

The school again has no dormitory facility for girls, forcing them to be accommodated in rented apartments.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Eduwatch Africa, a non-governmental organisation with focus on education, has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to liaise with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to develop a case management protocol for sick students in secondary schools.

The NGO said the implementation of the protocols should be mainstreamed into indicators for supervision by the school improvement and support officers and the key performance indicators of school heads.

That, the Organisation said, would help deal with health emergencies and avoid any untoward situations in schools.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Stacey Okyere, a first-year student at Aburi Girls Senior High School, died after a short illness.

According to sources, the student was sick, refused an exeat to go home for treatment, and was kept in the School until her parents arrived to take her to a hospital, allegedly.

Unfortunately, she died upon arrival at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, located a few kilometres from Aburi Girls SHS.

Mr Kofi Asare, the Exec
utive Director, Eduwatch Africa, in an interview on the death of the student, called on the Parent Associations and Old Students to be interested in the state and functioning of health facilities in their schools.

He urged GES to ensure that sick bays had the required drugs, competent personnel, and basic facilities to function under the National Health Insurance Scheme to avoid deaths in schools.

Mr Asare expressed worry about the situation and noted that the unfortunate event at Aburi Girls SHS was not the first.

‘Since 2017, there have been at least four widely reported deaths in secondary schools resulting from the wrongful exercise of discretion by school authorities in refusing to allow sick students to either seek treatment at home or send them to hospitals for treatment,’ he said.

He said from October 2017 to 2013, secondary schools that witnessed student deaths included Bolga SHS, St. Monica SHS, Afia Kobi Girls’ SHS, and Dwamena Akenten SHS.

Sadly, the Executive Director said in many instances,
the response of the school authorities was usually to deny complicity, rather than initiate meaningful reforms of the health management systems in Senior High Schools.

He said Ghana was the only country operating a public boarding secondary education system, with over one million students in boarding houses.

Mr Kofi said it was important to prioritise the delivery of primary healthcare in schools and strengthen the referral systems.

The Management of Ghana Education Service had extended its deepest condolence to the family of the late Stacy Okyere.

It said an internal investigation was ongoing, and that management of GES was working with the law enforcement agencies to independently investigate the matter.

In a release, the GES said its leadership had deployed a nine-member team of counsellors to beef up the Guidance and Counseling Department of the school to provide psychosocial support for the students and staff.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Clement Kubindiwo Tedam-University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), in Navrongo, Upper East Region, has secured a grant from the Government of the Spanish Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands to establish a data warehouse on its campus.

The grant was initiated by a three-member team of Lecturers from the School of Computing and Information Sciences (SCIS) of the University, made by Professor Edward Y. Baagyere, Dean of the SCIS, Dr Peter Agbedemnab and Dr Moses Agebure.

A statement from the Public Relations Directorate, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga indicated that Mottum Analytica, a firm in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, would provide consultancy services for the establishment of the facility.

The statement said Ms Rosa M. Druguet, a dedicated Volunteer from Spain in the University’s Grants Centre, facilitated the process.

‘The visionary project aimed to transform the university into a hub for data-driven innovation and research in the domains of h
ealth, agriculture, and climate.

‘This initiative syncs appropriately with the Sustainable Development Goals two, three and thirteen respectively, and the mandate of the University as a technology and applied science-driven institution,’ the statement said.

It said Mottum Analytica, a leading Data Analytic and Consulting Firm, based in the Canary Islands was the Consultant for the grant.

The statement recalled that in January this year, the Firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder, Professor Jose Luis Delgado Davara, and Professor César Covarrubias, the Director of the Data-Driven Innovation in Mottum, undertook a working visit to the University for an introductory meeting with its Management.

‘The discussions centred on unveiling a comprehensive roadmap for the grant which covers three differentiated areas: data warehouse facility definition, capacity building, vision, and strategy that outline the course of the project from 2023 to 2028,’ it said.

The statement further said other potential area
s for collaboration between stakeholders were explored during the meeting.

It added ‘As part of the grant, a three-day capacity-building workshop was organised to engage and educate participants on the intricacies of data-driven initiatives.

‘Professor José Luis Delgado Davara and Professor César Covarrubias shared their expertise, providing valuable insights that will shape the future of the University’s data infrastructure.

‘In a gesture of goodwill and to strengthen the emerging partnership, Mottum Analytica generously donated some lightweight Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the University to aid stu

The statement said the contribution of the Canary Islands Government and Mottum Analytica to the CKT-UTAS was aimed at enhancing the institution’s research capabilities and solidifying their collaboration.

‘The partnership between CKT-UTAS and Mottum Analytica represents a paradigm shift in the field of data-driven innovation and underscores commitment to advancing technological excellence.

‘The coll
aborative efforts are set to propel the University into a new era of research and development, with far-reaching implications for academia, industry, and the broader community,’ the statement noted.

Source: Ghana News Agency