FREE SHS PLACEMENT EXTENDED! -Dr. Opoku Prempeh

The ministry of education has release a notice assuring parents and guardians that no child qualified to be placed in a public senior high school will be left behind.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh also hinted the deadline for accessing the internet to complete the computerized school selection placement(CSSPS) process has been extended to the end of September 2017.

*Challenge*

After the announcement and commencement of the free SHS initiative. A large number of parents have come out to testify that their wards have been admitted into various public senior high schools without paying a penny.

However, some parents and guardians have expressed worry concerning the posting process and accommodation for their wards.

In some parts of the central region, parents alleged students were admitted as day students and parents were told to rent an apartment in the towns since the dormitories were fully occupied.

The situation got some parents ranting on radio about the entire process.

Some head teachers that also did not observe the laid down procedures got fired. An incident that also gave cue to some social commentators and legal practitioners to start a discus, asking government to reconsider her decision and punishment.

On the other hand, the populace have sang songs congratulating the current NPP administration for a good work done. However, some leading members of the opposition NDC party have kicked against the initiative saying it won't last the test of time and would soon collapse.

*Timely Relief*

In the past, parents considered distance, region and type of schools they wanted their wards to go because it all depended on their income.

But today, accessing Senior High School education has been made free, so no matter the distance or region one's ward is posted to, they have no choice than to go claim the golden spot for their wards.

*Assurance*
 The current Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is assuring all qualified children will receive placement.

 *Free SHS* is here but has it really come to stay?

Share your comments below!

Story by: Listowell Acquaye(Chosen YesuBa)

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www.amigocgh.blogspot.com

"WE WILL CHANGE SADA TO NDA" - NPP

Location: Bolgatanga, Upper East

 A lead member of the NPP Presidential Campaign Team, Prince Imoro Andani who represented Nana Akufo-Addo at a National Forum on Transformation of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana, has stated that his party when voted into power will restructure and change the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) into Northern Development Authority(NDA).

The former Northern Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani emphatically stated SADA under the NDC government has not chalked any success but a total failure and needs to be restructured and rebranded.

The move by the NPP to change SADA to NDA was generally not accepted by a large member of constituents at the forum and that sparked series of questions and contributions asking the NPP to maintain the SADA and current progress of the new administration of SADA led by Dr. Charles Abugri.

Speaking on behalf of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, he mentioned the over 200 million cedis seed money released to SADA was wasted because the NDC government did not provide officials of SADA an enabling environment to work.

In his interaction with constituents in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, Prince Imoro Andani further explained the restructuring and rebranding of SADA is critical because the current NDC government has only projected developmental works that covers the entire northern landscape of this country and that makes the vision unrealistic.

He explained the NPP’s “Northern Development Authority” that will take over from SADA is structured to concentrate only on the three regions of the north and so the upper parts of the BrongAhafo and Volta Regions currently covered by SADA will be taken out.

However, there will be a “Middle Belt Authority” that will concentrate on developmental projects in the Brong Ahafo, Volta Ashanti and other regions in the middle belt.

Again, Prince Imoro Andani assured the NPP if voted into power will establish a “Coastal Belt Authority” that would have developmental demands of the southern parts of the country at heart by implementing projects that suit the area.

He was of the view, the NPP government has recognised the disparity in developmental project between the Northern and Southern belts of the country, and they will collaborate with the CSOs in order to undertake a baseline survey that will outline the most pressing needs in the zone.

Report by Listowell Acquaye

BOLGA-BAWKU ROAD IN A DELORABLE STATE

Commuters and motorists plying the Bolga-Bawku-Pulimakuom stretch lament the bad nature of the road is a challenge to transportation in the Upper East Region.

We were in the region and report reconstruction works aimed at augmenting transportation and economic activities have not began.

The 109 kilometer-carriageway serves commuters from the upper east region to urban centres.

Serving as a major linking stretch, the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulimakoum road connects seven districts and a total of nine constituencies in the upper east region.

It is an international road, linking Ghana to neighbouring communities and market centres in Togo and Burkina Faso.

This road meant to augment transportation of goods and economic actvities to and from the three regions of the north to neighbouring countries is riddled with several potholes.

A ride by the news team on the stretch proved one cannot give a definite travelling distance time.

as drivers meander through potholes to use the neck of the roads.

Asante, a truck driver who frequently transports cargo from the northern sector to neighbouring towns in burkina faso and togo said the road is hampering smooth and swift transportation purposes.

This portion of the road becomes very dusty when trucks and buses use the stretch because it has completely lost its asphalt. 

Motorists on the stretch cover the noses with handkerchiefs due to the dusty nature of the road.

On July 11, this year, President Mahama cut sod for reconstruction works on the road to begin and the deputy minister of transport joyce mogtari reiterated the reconstruction works would immediately begin and complete within 910 days to support economic activities. 

Pictures captured on the stretch proved the project contractors have not made an attempt of commencement on the stretch.

So, how and when will the completion of the project bring about a positive impact in the region?

Politicising developmental projects by governments to score political points is the reason the nation is still backward.

FWA URGED MEDIA ENTITIES TO SENSITISE PUBLIC ON ECOWAS PROTOCOLS!

Deputy Foreign Affairs and regional integration,  Emmanuel Bombande has called on Journalists & Media stakeholders to uphold the mandate of the ECOWAS in implementing a  single west African market.

He stressed the media has a role to play In pushing the initiatives and agenda of the ECOWAS.

Speaking at a one - day media seminar on ECOWAS protocols on Good governance & democracy;
And it's provisions on Pro-poor policies and economic redistribution.

He made reference to the failed harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies leading to the establishment of a common currency zone.

He was of the view that the media has a role to play in the implementation and projection of  policies and strategies of ECOWAS that bother on free movement of goods and services.

Journalists from various media outlets (TV3, Onua Fm, Joy News, GNA, Radio XYZ, The Finder, Montie FM, Metro TV) were taken through series of topics and protocols that bother on how the ECOWAS operates.

Senior research fellow at LECIAD, Dr. Philip Attuquayefio, noted the media can highlight thematic issues of poverty that is in the area of absence or lack of basic utilities, access to education or quality health care among others.

The minister launched the event outdooring a booklet that contained details of what ECOWAS is all about.

#UpComingEvent: "ADDAQUAY ON THE BLACK AND WHITE KEYS"

‘Classical Music’ has become a major global phenomenon, branching off into a variety of forms in recent times.

It is a notable genre well celebrated in the western world and fast catching on in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically West Africa.

In Ghana, very few notable musical groups and individuals have chalked successes with the genre, which is currently blowing an inflicting wave on the music industry in the country.

Classical Music which formerly was highly patronised by the business class in society has now transcended the stables of the upper and middle class to the commoner on the streets of Accra.

Arguably, Patrick Addaquay, acclaimed the most versatile keyboardist in Ghana is force to reckon with who is spreading the good message of classical Music with all and sundry.

He started the journey 22 years ago performing on numerous platforms and events.

In June 2014, the passionate music ingenious designed an event dubbed “ADDAQUAY ON THE BLACK & WHITE KEYS” to catalyst his efforts in making Classical Music a household genre in Ghana and West Africa.

The maiden edition of “ADDAQUAY ON THE BLACK AND WHITE KEYS" was held at the National theatre on November 2014.

Projecting Ghana to the world as a country that appreciates classical music, the event attracted statesmen, notable personalities in Ghana and a huge fraction of the youth.

Today, Ghana stands up to make this enlightening and melodious journey with Patrick Addaquay as he tells the story of ‘Classical Music’ and his experiences over the years on his “ADDAQUAY ON THE BLACK AND WHITE KEYS” event.

The arguably most celebrated keyboardist in the country, Alfred Patrick Addaquay, has in his repertoire “Laudate” which is an oratorio, and “Afe Nsakrae”, a Cantata.  

This year, the ingenious is upbeat and musically fired up for the 2015 edition of the “ADDAQUAY ON THE BLACK AND WHITE KEYS” event.

Keep fingers crossed for details of the event soon.

Source: @AmigocGH @ExposureAfrica  

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