Month: April 2016

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Mathias Puozaa has cast doubt that Ghana could get any better institution to replace WAEC, if it decides to wean off from the sub-regional examination organizing body.

At least three papers have been leaked in the ongoing WASSCE raising concerns about the conduct of the examinations, but WAEC in reaction to the scandal has stated it will not cancel any of the papers that have been leaked in the ongoing West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

This comes on the back of WAEC’s claims of advancing a software into the system that will check cheating in exams this year.

Critics in the educational sector have warned that until Ghana withdraws from WAEC,  the country risks having a fraudulent and a dysfunctional system that will gradually erode the quality of education in the country.

However, Mr. Mathias Puozaa is contending that the failure of WAEC to safeguard the integrity of exams written in the country could only be a case pertaining locally, saying WAEC had impeccable integrity globally regarding the conduct of exams.

“WAEC still stands tall as far as integrity on exams is concerned. It’s only normal that after a number of failures you sit back, restructure and take a closer look at where things are going wrong. I think there should be a way out, because there is no situation that can’t be corrected.”

For him, there won’t be any better institution that will set the pace in the conduct of exams in Ghana like WAEC, saying the current examination body beyond the trends of irregularities in the system deserves to be given a try to sit up and make things work properly.

Tension is gradually mounting up in Kasoa (Odukpongkpehe) and its surrounding communities following the demolition of billboards belonging to the MP for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson by the Gomoa East District Chief Executive, Jehu-Appiah Jonamoah Moses.

The campaign billboards of the MP were said to have been erected on Gomoa East lands, thereby, provoking the DCE to order for their removal.

Jehu-Appiah, Kasapafmonline.com has learnt, was furious about the growing number of billboards belonging to people in Awutu Senya East but have been erected in his jurisdiction, claiming that “people have been using such strategy to steal Gomoa East lands”.

But his action did not escape the MP and her assigns.Bill

Kasapa 102.3 FM News’ Maame Broni who has been following the event reports that some youth said to be in the camp of Hon. Hawa Koomson who were incensed by the action of Jehu-Appiah mobilized and stormed the offices of Gomoa East District Assembly to demand answers.

The group, according to Broni, chained the DCE’s vehicle to theirs upon entering the premises of the Assembly to prevent him from escaping from being questioned over his action.

Broni further reports that the DCE is said to have once insulted the Awutu Senya East legislator at a sod cutting ceremony by President John Dramani Mahama for refusing to acknowledge the numerous projects the NDC has initiated in her jurisdiction.

All efforts to reach the DCE in person for his side of the story, according to our reporter, have proved futile.
However, he told Broni in a telephone conversation that he has every right to initiate measures that are aimed at protecting the Gomoa East Lands.

“The land is mine and I owe no one an explanation on anything I do. I’m not here to work for you the press and I won’t see you”, he said angrily.

Meanwhile, Hon. Hawa Koomson responding to the issue said she had expected the DCE to have engaged her prior to removing her billboards.

“As courtesy demands, he should have gotten in touch and inform me that this is what he intends to do and if I don’t comply, then he can go ahead to demolish my billboards. However, since he has decided to do things the ways he wants, I can assure him that I am ready to match him boot for boot”, she noted.

The long awaited New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary to elect a parliamentary candidate for the 2016 elections for the Ablekuma West constituency, which was suspended indefinitely due to chaos, is set to take place on Saturday, 9th April, 2015.

The election was delayed following confusion over the constituency’s voters’ register. Currently, three persons are in the race namely; the incumbent Member of Parliament, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Roni Nicole and Teo Tetteh.

The poll is expected to end the disunity among the NPP members in the constituency who have been sharply divided.

Ghanamps.gov.gh understands that Theophilus Tetteh, a former Constituency Chairman who is a contender failed to turn up for the vetting.

But speaking to Kasapa FM’s, NPP Director of Elections Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah noted the there was a communication from the regional chairman Ishmeal Ashiettey indicating Mr. Tetteh had officially written to the party on his absence from the vetting.

He however said the committee is yet to receive the said letter and take a conclusive decision on his fate.

Meanwhile, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful has expressed confidence of emerging as the Parliamentary candidate at the end of the poll, to enable her continue with her good works in the constituency.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Atebubu-Amantin constituency, Sanja Nanja has rendered an unqualified apology to the Atebubu Traditional Council for insulting the Queen mother of the area.

His apology comes after the Council banned him from entering Atebubu Manhene’s palace and attending several other social events that will be organized in the traditional area following his abusive words on Nana Afuah Denyina on Accra based radio station Pink FM.

The council claimed Sanja Nanja’s action was an insult to the Atebubu Traditional Council, and hence had severed ties with the MP for his disrespect to the queen-mother of the town.

A statement signed by Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, Chief and President of the Atebubu Traditional Area, said they took the action to serve as a form of punishment to the MP.

“By this conduct, the chiefs and people have arrived at this decision against the MP. This is to avert any unforeseen happenings that may arise from his unguarded statement and to ensure peace in the socio-political life of the area,” the statement noted.

But the MP who has regretted his action has asked the Queen mother and Council to forgive him as he spoke out of anger and take him back as their son.

Violence broke last week in Atebubu after some supporters of the former DCE of the area, Sampson Owusu Boateng, and those of the Member of Parliament for the area, Sanja Nanja, were caught up in some skirmishes over Boateng’s dismissal from office.

The clashes led to the burning of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party office in Atebubu- Amantin, while some NDC youth also allegedly ransacked the home of the official bungalow of the former DCE.

At least three people have been arrested in connection with the disturbances that occurred in the area, last week.

Ghanamps.gov.gh

The Member of Parliament(MP) for Atebubu constituency, Sanja Nanja has been banned from entering Atebubu Manhene’s palace and other social event that may be organized by the Atebubu Traditional Council.

The decision comes after they accused him of using offensive words on the Queenmother of Atebubu Traditional Council, Nana Afuah Denyina on local radio station Pink FM.

The council claimed Sanja Nanja’s action is an insult to the Atebubu Traditional Council, and hence has severed ties with the MP for his disrespect to the queen-mother of the town.

A statement signed by Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, Chief and President of the Atebubu Traditional Area, said they took the action to serve as a form of punishment to the MP.

“This was during an interview he (the MP) granted on Pink Radio 96.9MHZ mid-day news on Friday 1st April, 2016 also carried on peacefmonline.com. By this conduct, the chiefs and people have arrived at this decision against the MP. This is to avert any unforeseen happenings that may arise from his unguarded statement and to ensure peace in the socio-political life of the area,” the statement noted.

Violence broke last week in Atebubu after some supporters of the former DCE of the area, Sampson Owusu Boateng, and those of the Member of Parliament for the area, Sanja Nanja, were caught up in some skirmishes over Boateng’s dismissal from office.

The clashes led to the burning of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party office in Atebubu- Amantin, while some NDC youth also allegedly ransacked the home of the official bungalow of the former DCE.

At least three people have been arrested in connection with the disturbances that occurred in the area, last week.

Ghanamps.gov.gh

The Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed has called for the institutionalization of the National Sanitation Day (NSD).

Alhaji Muntaka who is also the Member of Parliament for Asawasi says after a year of piloting the exercise, it is time the exercise is added to our laws to compel people to participate.

He revealed it will not take parliament a month to pass such a law to prevent the practice where many sit idle and observe others take part in the exercise despite contributing to the filth.

Alhaji Muntaka and Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon have joined officials of Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly for the National Sanitation Day exercise.

Luv News sources say Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Alhaji Collins Dauda and other government officials are expected to join the exercise which is currently ongoing at Asokore Mampong.