The Tamale High Court has convicted six individuals in a payroll fraud case involving the Ghana Education Service (GES). The defendants, including school administrators, payroll officers, and accountants, pleaded guilty under the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) plea bargaining framework.
The convicted individuals were found to have illicitly reactivated and validated salary payments for a teacher who had long since vacated their position. This fraudulent activity led to the unauthorised payment of GHS 86,000. Court documents revealed that all embezzled funds have been recovered, with a total restitution of GHS 106,319.64.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announced that investigations into the case are ongoing, with other individuals under investigation. The office handles six other criminal trials in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi.
“This conviction represents our ongoing commitment to protecting public funds,” an OSP spokesperson said. The office declined to provide further details about additional suspects under investigation.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to fostering inclusive education that empowers Ghanaians to succeed in a knowledge-based economy.
He emphasised that key initiatives, such as the government’s Free Senior High School policy and the No Fee Stress initiative, are central to realising this vision.
Dr Clement Apaak made these comments while addressing the Relief and Aid International Educational Scholarship recipients on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
“Through your scholarship programs, you are not just removing financial barriers; you are also igniting hope, unlocking potential, and fostering service-oriented leadership in the next generation. This perfectly aligns with the government of Ghana’s educational agenda to provide inclusive, equitable, and relevant education that empowers every Ghanaian to thrive in a knowledge-based economy,” he said.
“We are building a system that leaves no learner behind,” Dr. Apaak added.
The Founder and President of Relief and Aid International, Peggy Adamafio, encouraged the beneficiaries to demonstrate their worthiness for the awards and contribute to a better society.
“Carry this torch with humility, and always remember the hands that lifted you in your time of need. One day, it will be your turn to extend your hand to someone else,” she remarked.
Assembly Members of the Bole Municipality in the Savannah Region have overlooked emotional blackmail and protests from some youth groups, formally endorsing Abdulai Mahamud as the President’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).
The confirmation process took place amid rising tensions in the district capital, Bole, but a combined security team led by the Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) successfully maintained peace and order throughout the event.
Mr. Mahamud, a young educationist from Bamboi, a suburb within the municipality, received strong support, securing 34 ‘Yes’ votes against 5 ‘No’ votes—an approval rate of 87%. He becomes the ninth Chief Executive of the Bole Municipal Assembly and the second person from Bamboi to hold this prestigious position.
In his acceptance speech, the newly confirmed MCE, a teacher, farmer, and politician, thanked the Assembly Members for their confidence in him and promised to focus on driving development within the municipality.
Since its establishment in 1988, the Bole Municipal Assembly has had nine Municipal Chief Executives, including three women and six men. Mr. Mahamud is the second native of Bamboi to assume the role, following James Jaaga’s tenure in 2012.
Kodu Pad, an innovation from the heart of thesavanna. In many regions of Africa, menstrual health presents significant obstacles for millions of young girls. Without access to affordable and hygienic sanitary products, these girls often miss school, avoid social interactions, and lose confidence. However, one Ghanaian startup is trying to change this by converting agricultural waste into sustainable and accessible menstrual hygiene products.
Kodu Pad
Kodu Technology, a social enterprise co-founded by Iddi Mohammed Faried, Mubaraka Umar Farouk, and Longi Aadam Hayendimah, is transforming plantain and banana waste into eco-friendly, affordable sanitary pads. With a foundation built on innovation, sustainability, and social justice, Kodu Technology aims to make menstrual hygiene products more accessible to those in need.
“At Kodu Technology, we believe no girl should have to miss out on life because of her period, and no resource should go to waste. Turning plantain and banana waste into sanitary pads is not just innovation; it’s dignity, sustainability, and impactful action,” said Iddi Mohammed Faried.
Dr-Iddi-Mohammed-Faried
Kodu Technology’s approach addresses two critical issues: period poverty and the environmental impact of agricultural waste. By utilising fibrous materials from agrarian residues—waste that would otherwise decay or be burned—the startup creates biodegradable, high-absorbency sanitary pads that are both safe for women and environmentally friendly.
Support from organisations like the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) and the Mastercard Foundation has been instrumental in the growth of Kodu Technology. The startup received funding through KIC’s AgriTech Challenge and Incubation Programs, which support startups from concept to accelerated growth, investor readiness, and scaling. Following their participation in KIC’s program, Kodu Technology has also secured additional funding from other organisations. In 2023, they were named winners of the Circular Economy Competition. In 2024, they won the Go Gettaz Agripreneur prize, beating other African startups to earn funding to expand their operations.
“At KIC, we support businesses that tackle real-world problems with innovative, locally driven solutions. Kodu Technology is an excellent example of how agribusiness innovation can go beyond food production to solve broader social challenges and promote sustainability and youth empowerment,” said Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC.
Kodu Technology’s impact extends far beyond product innovation. The company is also a champion of rural empowerment, working with women’s groups and smallholder farmers to source raw materials and distribute the final products. In doing so, Kodu Technology is creating jobs, supporting local economies, and raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene.
Thanks to their community-driven approach, hundreds of girls and women now have access to safe menstrual products, often for the first time. Schools in underserved areas also benefit, as Kodu Technology leads educational programs that break the stigma surrounding menstruation and foster open conversations.
Kodu Technology’s work has earned recognition from various development partners and innovation hubs in Ghana and beyond. As the company expands, its vision remains focused on transforming menstrual health access across Africa.
With continued support from KIC and the Mastercard Foundation, Kodu Technology is proving that girls deserve better and that innovation, grounded in local realities, can spark global change.
The Medical Superintendent of the Evangelical Church of Ghana (ECG) Hospital in Kpandai, Northern Region, Dr. Sonlary Joseph, has made a heartfelt appeal to the government, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to support the completion of a long-abandoned mortuary project at the facility.
According to Dr. Joseph, construction of the mortuary began two years ago but has since stalled due to financial constraints.
While the building structure has been completed, the facility remains non-functional as the critical installation of the cold room is yet to be carried out.
In an interview with Adom News correspondent Odehyeba Owusu Job, Dr. Joseph expressed concern over the impact of the incomplete mortuary on the local community.
“The incomplete mortuary has been a challenge for our community for far too long. As a medical doctor, I’ve seen firsthand the difficulties it poses for our deceased loved ones and their families,” he said.
He explained that in the absence of a functioning mortuary, families are forced to transport their deceased relatives to distant towns, adding emotional and financial strain during an already difficult time.
Dr. Joseph stressed that completing the mortuary would restore dignity to the handling of the dead and provide immense relief to bereaved families in Kpandai and surrounding communities.
He called on stakeholders, especially philanthropists and benevolent institutions, to partner with the hospital to complete the project and improve healthcare infrastructure in the district.
In celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, the Sung Biela Foundation Ghana brought joy to 40 single mothers and widows in Bawku, located in the Kusaug Traditional Area of the Upper East Region.
The Foundation, renowned for its community empowerment programs, hosted a special event to honour, support, and uplift women raising children alone or having lost their husbands.
The 40 selected women from seven different communities were presented with rice, cooking oil, mackerel, clothes, and undisclosed cash support. This initiative aimed to help ease their daily challenges and to show them that their struggles are seen and valued.
Sung Biela Foundation Ghana & the 40 Women
Many women, visibly moved by the gesture, shared how much the support meant to them. Alimatu Iddrisu, a widow, expressed her gratitude: “The gift makes me feel seen. At least today, I know someone remembers me.”
Another widow, Anaba Gladys, also shared her appreciation: “It’s not easy to provide for your children. This support gives me some relief. May God bless the Foundation.”
The women also called for continued support in the form of livelihood training and education for their children, believing that such help would impact their lives.
At the event, Jacob Ayanaba, Programme Coordinator of the Sung Biela Foundation Ghana, emphasised that this initiative aligned with their mission to empower vulnerable women.
“This Mother’s Day, we chose to honour single mothers and widows because they are the silent heroes. They carry heavy responsibilities and often do so with little support. Today, we say, ‘We see you. We value you,” he said.
He also took a moment to acknowledge those who make such initiatives possible:
“We’re grateful to our active supporters and donors whose generosity keeps this work going. Special thanks go to Mrs. Naa Maamiley Addy for her continued commitment to the vulnerable in our communities. Her support has touched many lives, and we are proud to work with people like her.”
Mr. Ayanaba further shared that the Foundation plans to roll out skills training and small business support for women in the area.
“Beyond today, we want to equip women to earn income through poultry farming, soap making, or petty trading. That’s our next step.”
The residents of Bawku have praised the Foundation for recognising the contributions of women who are often overlooked during celebrations.
One local resident remarked, “In our culture, mothers are the backbone of the family. What Sung Biela Foundation has done today is not just charity—it is honouring tradition.”
The Sung Biela Foundation Ghana is calling on individuals, corporate bodies, and NGOs to partner with it to reach more vulnerable groups in the Upper East Region.
“Our work is just beginning. With more support, we can touch more lives,” Mr. Ayanaba said.
Sung Biela Foundation Ghana is a community-focused NGO that promotes peace, education, and economic empowerment in the Upper East Region. It was founded to build stronger, self-reliant communities throughout northern Ghana.
Dr. Nathaniel Nii Sasah Adams Junior, a development expert, has proposed the establishment of a smock village in Yendi to promote the local smock industry and provide economic opportunities for the region’s residents.
He highlighted that the Northern Region, particularly Yendi, is the heart of smock production in Ghana, but no centralised market or village is dedicated to the craft. Dr. Adams believes that creating a smock village would not only boost the smock trade but also significantly enhance tourism and preserve the cultural heritage of the people of Dagbon.
Dr. Adams made the proposal during the inauguration of the Yendi Youth Parliament (YYP) in Yendi last Saturday. The event was organised under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project, which aims to empower young people and strengthen their involvement in local governance and development initiatives.
Funded by the World Bank, the SOCO project, through its Youth Engagement and Social Cohesion subcomponent, supports youth parliaments in 48 districts across northern Ghana, allowing marginalised and at-risk youth to participate in national discourse.
In his speech, Dr. Adams, founder of the Northern College of Science and Technology, urged members of the Yendi Youth Parliament to take the lead in advocating for the Smock Village Initiative. He encouraged them to collaborate with key stakeholders, including the SOCO project and traditional authorities, to realise the vision.
Dr-Nathaniel-Nii-Sasah-Adams-Junior Speaking about the Smock Village Initiative
“I challenge you as young people to champion this initiative, liaise with the SOCO project, traditional authorities, and other relevant bodies to bring this vision to life,” he stated.
Dr. Adams also personally pledged GH¢20,000 to support the project and called on all relevant stakeholders to join the cause.
He further encouraged members of the Yendi Youth Parliament to advocate for development and prioritise the community’s interests over personal or partisan considerations.
Abdul Jalel Alhassan, the Yendi Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), shared that the Yendi Youth Parliament would serve as a platform for young people to voice their concerns and contribute to national development. He urged the members to stay determined and work hard to promote local governance and development.
In a bid to enhance the academic performance of final-year Junior High School (JHS) students, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga South, Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, has donated GH₵10,000 to the Ghana Education Service (GES) Directorate in the East Gonja Municipality.
The donation will fund a mock examination for all 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates within the municipality, helping to better prepare students for the upcoming national exams.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for East Gonja, Mr. Kassim Yazid Rabiu, presented the bank deposit receipt to the Municipal Education Directorate officials on behalf of the MP. He explained that this donation is part of the MP’s ongoing support to improve education in the region.
“The Member of Parliament, Hajia Zuwera, has deposited an amount of GH₵10,000 into the Municipal Directorate of Education’s GCB Bank account as her support for the organisation of the mock examination for the 2025 BECE candidates,” Mr. Rabiu said.
He highlighted the MP’s commitment to education, emphasising its significance in the development and progress of children in the constituency. He also reassured the Education Directorate of the MP’s continuous support in enhancing the quality of education in Salaga South.
On behalf of the Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Richard Kamboey, the Human Resource Officer at the Salaga Municipal GES Directorate, expressed his appreciation to the MP for her ongoing efforts in supporting education.
Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah
He assured that the funds would be used appropriately. He encouraged all BECE candidates to take full advantage of the mock exams to improve their academic performance.
Students have widely applauded the gesture, essential to boosting their confidence and preparation for the critical national examination.
