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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“ONE VILLAGE, ONE DAM” MAY NOT VIABLE- SADA CEO

Location: Bolgatanga, Upper East

CEO of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, Dr Charles Abugrehas stated that the NPP’s “One Village, One Dam” initiative though laudable, may not work in all villages.

He was responding to a questioned from a constituent at the National Forum on Transformation of the SADA Zone where the NPP was invited to outline their vision and development agenda on transforming the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone into a place of opportunities for all, free from poverty and inequality.

Basing his claims on findings from research work conducted in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone in the past two years, he mentioned the initiative by the New Patriotic Party may holistically not be feasible in the SADA ZONE despite its laudable potential to transform agriculture and the energy sector.

The NPP representatives in the person of Prince Imoro Andani and the MP for Nabdam, Boniface Agambila at the 2016 National Forum on the Transformation of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone re-emphasized the “One Village, One Dam” initiative that will augment the ailing irrigation issues in the region and explained the project will be viable in the Zone but will vary from village to village.

He suggested the NPP should resort to bore holes which will be feasible in most villages instead of damsdue to the nature of the SADA Zone.

However, Dr. Charles Abugre reiterated the politicisation of SADA related projects would not be in the best interest of his administration and the citizenry in the area but a political will to holistically reduce poverty in the zone is the way forward.

He then asked politicians not to depend on the sound bites (“One Village, One Dam”) but rather focus on the development of the Northern Ecological Savannah Zone and the revenue generation potential it holds if implemented. 

In a sharp rebuttal, the MP for Nabdam, Boniface Gambila echoed the NPP’s commitment to its manifesto and stressed his disagreement with Dr. Charles Abugre’s claim that the “One Village, one Dam” initiative may not be feasible.

“As far as I am concerned and the word dam is concerned, the “one village, one dam” project is feasible, possible and can only be done by the NPP if you vote the NPP into power” Boniface Gambila rebutted.

Lead Campaign Member of the NPP’s Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, Prince Imoro Andani who represented the flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo explained the NPP manifesto has lots of projects that are in tandem with the developmental master plan of the SADA Zone and would be implemented if the NPP gets the nod in 2017.,

The forum aimed at engaging Presidential candidates of various political parties contesting in the 2016 polls to outline their vision and development agenda on transforming the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone into a place of opportunities for all, free from poverty and inequality was organised by the Coalition of SADA Zone CSOs on Tuesday, October 26, 201 in Bolgatanga.

THE BOCOTT

xThe Coalition of SADA Zone Civil Society Organizations is holding a national forum on the transformation of Northern Savannah of Ghana in Bolgatanga.

The organizers had scheduled the Presidential candidates of the NPP, NDC and CPP to feature at the forum on October 25, 26 and 27 respectively.

 However, Nana Addo who was first to speak about his vision to transform the Northern Ecological Zone, did not show up even though the organizers have said the candidate and his party had confirmed their participation.