Category: Literacy

A total of 1,300 first-year Senior High School students, who have been placed at the Tamale Senior High school (TAMASCO) have begun reporting to school to enable academic activities to begin. The Ghana News Agency's visit to the school on Tuesday saw prospective students from both far and near undergoing various registration processes for their admissions. Madam Celestine Ninnoni, Assistant Headmistress in-charge of Administration at TAMASCO, told GNA they were well prepared to receive the first-year students, adding that parents and guardians must support their wards to speed up the admissions processes without any further delays. Madam Ninnoni entreated parents and guardians whose wards were placed at TAMASCO not to panic but rather encourage their wards to report to school. Master Nurudeen Mohammed, a first-year General Science student, who reported to school at the time of GNA's visit, said he was optimistic his mates would report soon for classes to begin. Mr Nindow Alhassan, a parent who assisted his daughter through the admissions processes, said it was smooth and stress-free. Source: Ghana News Agency

There have been mixed reactions among parents and guardians of first-year students at Senior High School (SHS) regarding the directive by the Ministry of Education ( MoE) for reporting of first year SHS students to school. While some parents support the directive, others insist that the reporting date was impromptu, making it difficult for them to adequately provide needed items on their prospectus for their children and wards to go to school. A visit to the Bolgatanga market by the Ghana News Agency revealed that most parents and guardians were still busy purchasing items for their children and wards and were uncertain when they would report to school. Madam Alice Ayinga, a parent, told the GNA that the insistence by the Ministry of Education for the students to report immediately would put a lot of financial burden on her family, given the circumstances. She stated that, 'When your child writes BECE, it is your hope that he or she gets school to go, but in the current circumstances, I am unprepared fin ancially to provide her with the necessary stuff she needs for school, and that is because I taught while placement is done; it would take like two weeks so that we can prepare. 'With this directive by the Ministry of Education, there is going to be a lot of financial burden on me and my family because what it means is that we are going to spend the little we are surviving on to meet requirements of my daughter and I think this is unfair,' she added. Mr Samson Adongo, a parent however, was of the view that parents had enough time to prepare, given that they were aware that irrespective of the grade their children may get, there was the possibility of them going to school. He stated that, 'Yes, I understand the plight of parents, but the fact is that even if you give some parents one whole year to prepare, they would still need more time, and that is simply because we are not time conscious as people, so the moment the system begins to work, then we have a problem. 'In fact, all of us knew that with an agg regate of 40 or more, our wards would still get placement, and instead of us preparing, we wanted the reality to dawn on us, then we start to complain,' he stressed. Madam Lariba Issah, a parent, asserted that the directive by the MoE for the students to report immediately was nothing but a deliberate attempt to burden parents. According to her, 'it does not make sense for the students to report this same month and return two weeks later in the same month for Christmas; what would they learn in this short period that it has become so necessary?' So, it is a deliberate attempt to burden us'. Master Zutere Ismael, a first-year student yet to report to Navrongo Senior High School, told the Ghana News Agency that he was eager to report to school given that her parents were able to get his stuff on time, adding that he had obtained his admission online and was only waiting for his prospectus to report. Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, has conferred a Doctorate degree on Sir Samuel Esson Johah, a distinguish statesman who is a global mining icon with vast experience in leadership, management, marketing and innovation. The award was in recognition of his unmatched and outstanding contribution to the mining industry of Ghana and the world at large. Sir Jonah received the Doctor of Science honorary scouser and a citation during the 15th congregation ceremony of the UMaT at Tarkwa. He is a businessman, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg. This fund owns 14 mineral resource assets across ten countries in Africa. Sir Jonah has contributed significantly to the educational sector and served in various capacities and institutions across the globe. By dent of his hard work and exemplary leadership, he had been decorated with many awards and honors. Currently, he is the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and a visiting professor of busine ss at the University of Witwatersrand Business School in Johannesburg and a member of its governing council. Delivering the special guest address at the congregation, Sir Jonah expressed profound gratitude to the Academic Board, the University Council and the Administration of the UMaT for the honour. He stressed that 'as UMaT graduates, you carry the responsibility of upholding the standards of excellence and contributing positively to society. 'Remember, your education does not end here, it is a lifelong journey. Stay curious, remain open to new ideas, and continue to cultivate your intellectual curiosity. Seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth, and never underestimate the impact you can have on the world.' The Chancellor of UCC revealed that he was aware of the high-quality assurance standards and practices at the UMaT, which have always translated into quality products such that graduates of that university always excel in their field of work wherever they found themselves. 'I am therefore highly optimistic that the 2023 graduates will add to the success story of the University,' he said. 'Vice Chancellor, as the University is growing in leaps and bounds and has remained true to its mandate of training professionals in mining, petroleum, technology, and related engineering disciplines, I anticipate a time when UMaT will become the MIT of Africa as the Chancellor has always envisioned. 'One of the steps to take to make this a reality is to continue to deepen the industry-academia relationship to influence both the theoretical and practical training of students and make them readily accepted into industry. As a mining engineer, I want to assure you that I will use my good office to support this agenda,' he indicated. Sir Jonah commended the Government and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their continuous support and expressed the hope that they would do more for the University to become the foundation of the industry-driven transformation agenda of the country. 'In this regard, I will personally liaise with the Vice Chancellor in efforts to attract more funding opportunities for the development of UMaT since changing global trends show that the future of the world belongs to countries that take science, technology, and innovation seriously, and make conscious efforts to train their manpower in these areas' he further revealed. He lauded the Minister of Education for his personal leadership and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Vocational education to become the cornerstone of the educational curricula of Ghana, adding that the impact of this effort would be seen in a few years. Source: Ghana News Agency

Ho-Dome Experimental Primary School, now Ho-Dome Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School at Ho in the Volta Region, has celebrated its maiden homecoming. The school was founded through the efforts, diligence and hard work of Togbe Adzie Constantine I (1910-1926), Togbe Kwasi Yao Wusu II (1930-1933) and Togbe Mottey Kofi II (1934-1962), respectively. The first pupils of Ho-Dome Experimental Primary School entered Class One in September 1930, and this was in accordance with the 1925 Sir Gordon Guggisberg Constitution and Educational Reform of the Gold Coast through the Indirect Rule System of Governance. The pupils were trained holistically for a responsible adult and future life, and the school had been a durable foundation for many professionals including renowned medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, businesspeople and women, teachers, administrators, nurses, pastors, and traditional rulers. The event was on the theme: 'Proud of Our Foundation, Ready for the Future.' Mr Wogbe Kwashie, a legal practitioner and alumnus, said that the school produced excellent scholars and professionals in a variety of leadership fields, making it one of the best in Ho and the entire Volta region. He said the goal of the homecoming was to rally the alumni to aid in the school's growth and restore it to the illustrious academic greatness of its heyday. Mr Wogbe said that the Ho Dome Experimental Primary School had laid the foundation for their diverse educational paths and professional careers, and that it was now time to give back to both their alma mater and society. He urged all former students to join the transformational agenda, saying, 'We should now crave for the growth and development of the now Ho Dome Basic School through doing the needful.' Mr Wogbe said the main objective was to raise the school's academic performance by providing new facilities, instructional materials, and learning resources, and completing the fence wall to ensure the students' safety. An alum, Mama Attrato II, Queen of Ho-Dome, single-handed s ourced for fund from the Japan Embassy, which she used to build a new school block and fenced the Eastern part of the compound. Mama Attrato, who chaired the event, emphasised how important it was for former students to support their alma mater and make sure that those who came after them succeeded academically. Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, Dufia of Ho-Dome, and Awafiaga of Asogli State, urged the students to maintain discipline, obey their teachers, and abstain from actions that would hinder their academic progress. Miss Judith Princess Kuseto, Headmistress of the school, stated that the school was well-known in Ho and throughout the Municipality for its outstanding performance in academic and sporting activities. She appealed to the alumni to assist in renovating the computer lab and supplying them with more modern and effective computers to enhance ICT teaching and learning, Miss Kuseto also appealed for the kindergarten block to be given a facelift to improve the area's condition and make it more ch ild-friendly, as well as the provision of basic teaching and learning resources, such as storybooks, to encourage a love of reading in the younger generation. To stop mentally challenged people and stray animals from entering the school, she made an appeal to non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and cooperative individuals to help finish the fence wall surrounding the campus. Mrs. Marian Jemima Akua Adzroe, Head of E.P. Schools in the Volta, who was the guest speaker, said the school had produced many notable individuals and continued to follow its path to this day, which was why alumni's achievements, milestones, and unwavering spirit are celebrated. She said that it was right to embrace the past, influence the present, and motivate the future and that the school's reputation was built on the strength of hard work, volunteerism, and optimism. Source: Ghana News Agency

The 1999-year Group of Aggrey Memorial Old Students Association (AMOSA), has launched its 25th anniversary celebration by unveiling a logo that embodied its storied legacy project. The event scheduled to take place in March 2024, will be on the theme: 'Celebrating Our Silver Jubilee: Supporting Education Within a Serene Environment Anchored on Discipline'. Activities to be featured for the celebration include free medical screening for the people of Brafo Yaw, the School's catchment community and free National Health Insurance Registration for the non-teaching staff of Aggrey Memorial A.ME. Zion Senior High School. Other activities would be the commissioning of the Legacy Project, career development show for current students, exhibition and promotion of products and services of Amosa 99 Entrepreneurs and a thanksgiving service to climax the celebration. Mr Isaac Kofi Dankwa, the Planning Committee Chairman, in an address said the project for his Year Group would be the redesigning of the school's entranc e to enhance its image. The whole project would cost GHC 330.000.00 which would help improve security and ensure discipline in the school. Mr Theophilus Tei Agyanou, the Board Chair for the anniversary called on all old students to join hands by supporting the project to change the status of their alma mater. He appealed to corporate bodies to support the laudable initiative to create an enabling environment for the students and teachers for improved academic outcomes. Source: Ghana News Agency