Ghana News

GES Includes 25 Private SHSs in the 2025 Computerised School Placement System

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the inclusion of 25 private Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the 2025 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) under the Free SHS policy. This marks the first time private SHSs have been incorporated into the Free SHS programme since its launch in September 2017.

The GES aims to improve access to quality second-cycle education, particularly in regions where public senior high schools (SHSs) are overcrowded. The selected schools, categorised under Category E, are co-educational day institutions spread across all 16 regions. They offer a variety of academic programmes, including General Arts, General Science, Business, Technical, Visual Arts, Home Economics, and Agriculture.

According to Mr Prince Agyemang-Duah, Director of the Schools and Instruction Division, the deadline for school selection has been extended to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to provide candidates with sufficient time to consider the newly added options.

The GES statement emphasised that this initiative reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equity and access to education. The pilot programme will be monitored and evaluated for potential future expansion.

In the following steps, selected schools will undergo capacity-building and assessments to meet the operational standards of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. The Ministry, GES, and the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) will collaborate on training, oversight, and infrastructure support where needed.

This expansion of the Free SHS programme, in partnership with GNACOPS, focuses on private institutions in areas where public schools cannot accommodate all qualified students due to infrastructure constraints.

Find the complete list of the selected schools below.

Accountants Urged to Embrace AI but Stay Ethical

The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), Mr. Augustine Addo, has called on accountants to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) while upholding their ethical values.

Speaking during a Jumu’ah prayer and symposium at the National Mosque in Kanda, Mr Addo said AI was transforming accounting. “AI empowers us to analyse data more accurately, detect fraud efficiently, and offer insights that can transform businesses and public institutions,” he said.

Mr Augustin Addo – President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG)

But he warned that progress must not come at the cost of integrity. “Technology is a tool,” he said, “but our values—honesty, justice, and stewardship—must guide its use for the greater good.”

The event was part of the 2025 Accountants’ Week celebration. This year’s theme is “Leveraging the Transformational Power of AI: The Role of the Professional Accountant.”

Mr Addo praised the unity and reflection shared at the gathering of Muslim professionals and dignitaries.

President of the Ghana Association of Muslim Accountants (GAMA), Mr. Yusif Geoffrey, also addressed the forum. He stated that ethical financial stewardship was crucial to national development.

“As Muslim accountants, we are not just custodians of finances but also of public trust,” he said. He stressed that Islamic teachings demand accountability in all actions. “This sense of responsibility must shape how we manage resources,” he added.

Mr Geoffrey highlighted the role of Muslim accountants in promoting transparency and ensuring the proper use of resources across various sectors.

He urged mosque leaders to adopt sound financial practices. These included using qualified accountants, setting up internal controls, and regularly sharing financial reports.

“Our mosques manage significant funds from zakat, sadaqah, and donations,” he said. “We must uphold the highest standards of transparency and professionalism.”

On Hajj operations, he welcomed recent reforms, including the reduced Hajj fare of GH¢62,000 and the increased quota of 5,000 pilgrims. However, he called for more precise fare breakdowns, earlier announcements, and the involvement of financial experts.

“GAMA is ready to support the Hajj Board to deliver a more accountable experience for Ghanaian pilgrims,” he said.

Quoting from the Quran, he reminded the gathering, “Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight” (Quran 17:35). He said ethical governance was both a professional and moral duty.

As part of the celebration, cash donations were made to the National Chief Imam and towards the Ghana National Mosque project.

Rainforest Builder Launches Africa’s Largest Tree Nursery in Bassengele

Rainforest Builder Ghana has unveiled a massive native tree nursery in Bassengele, Bibiani. The facility can produce up to 5 million seedlings annually. It is now the largest of its kind in Africa. The nursery is part of efforts to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded forest land in Ghana. The project supports the country’s reforestation and climate goals.

More than 600 workers—most from nearby communities—are employed at the nursery. It uses advanced irrigation systems and is central to the company’s restoration strategy.

“This nursery is not just about trees,” said Enver Mapanda, General Manager of Rainforest Builder Ghana. “It reflects our long-term commitment to restoring Ghana’s forest landscapes.”

She said the work aligns with national goals on climate resilience, biodiversity, green jobs, and carbon removal.

Project Akwaaba and Reforestation Impact

Rainforest Builder Ghana was set up in 2023. Its main programme, Project Akwaaba, has already restored over 1,500 hectares in the Upper Wassa, Anhwiaso South, and Anhwiaso East reserves.

In 2025, the company aims to restore an additional 2,000 hectares, doubling the amount achieved the previous year.

“At the heart of our operations is a fully integrated value chain,” Ms Mapanda said. This includes seed collection, nursery work, planting, forest protection, financial planning, and access to the carbon market.

She noted that restoring forests also removes carbon dioxide from the air, generating carbon credits that can be invested in nature-based solutions.

Local Jobs and National Partnership

Ms Mapanda said the company plans to employ more than 900 workers this year. Local communities, she said, will be direct beneficiaries of the forest economy.

The company will also donate 10,000 seedlings to the Forestry Commission. This will support the government’s national tree-planting drive.

“We’re building inclusive and sustainable rainforest economies,” she added. “The people who live with and care for these forests must also be the ones who benefit.”

Government Support and 50-Year Lease

Dr. Hugh Clement Adokwei Brown, CEO of the Forestry Commission, attended the launch. He welcomed the project and said it came at the right time.

The government, he said, is targeting 30 million trees nationwide, with 40% expected to come from private firms.

“This ‘Akwaaba Project’ is evidence to show the world that Ghana is serious about deforestation,” Dr Brown said. He added that the project demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to restoring degraded land and combating climate change.

The company has a 50-year lease to operate and is currently focused on the Western North Region. Dr Brown praised Rainforest Builder Ghana for creating jobs and promoting sustainable growth.

Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy to Launch July 1

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the much-anticipated 24-hour Economy policy will officially begin on July 1, 2025. The policy, a key promise in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 manifesto, is expected to transform productivity across multiple sectors of Ghana’s economy.

Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Horticulture Expo in Accra on Wednesday, June 11, President Mahama called the initiative a “game-changing strategy” designed to fully unlock the country’s production capabilities. He said the move will enhance round-the-clock operations in various industries, especially in agriculture and agribusiness.

Mahama stressed the policy’s impact on the horticulture industry, noting that 24-hour operations will help reduce post-harvest losses by enabling faster transportation of perishable goods — such as pineapples, vegetables, and herbs — to international markets.

“This policy will provide the framework for continued production, processing, and logistics in horticulture,” he said. “It allows perishable goods to move swiftly from the field to international shelves, minimising losses and maximising value.”

He also revealed plans to extend the 24-hour framework to key logistical points, including Ghana’s two main ports. According to Mahama, the Ministries of Trade, Industry, Agri-business, and Transport are collaborating with agencies like the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ghana Shippers’ Council to soon designate the Tema and Takoradi ports as full 24-hour operational hubs.

Ghanaians Can Now Travel to Morocco Without a Traditional Visa – Ablakwa

Ghanaians will soon enjoy visa-free travel to Morocco under a new bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this known after a two-day official visit to Morocco.

Under the new policy, travellers from Ghana will no longer need to apply for a traditional visa through the Moroccan embassy. Instead, they will use a simplified online travel authorization process that takes less than 24 hours and does not require an in-person interview or embassy appointment. Ablakwa believes the arrangement significantly eases the burden of travel and will lead to stronger people-to-people connections.

Mr-Okudzeto-Ablakwa-&-H.E.-Nasser-Bourita

He emphasized that the agreement is expected to boost tourism and trade, opening up opportunities for closer collaboration in various sectors. The policy change was finalized during a meeting between Ablakwa and Morocco’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Nasser Bourita, as part of a broader push to improve African cooperation.

To support the new policy, the number of direct flights between Ghana and Morocco will also be increased, making travel more accessible and convenient. Ablakwa framed the development as a step toward redefining African borders—not as barriers but as bridges connecting communities and cultures.

WAEC Flags Bono, Ahafo Regions as Malpractice Hotspots

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised the alarm over rising exam malpractice, spotlighting the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions as the worst-affected areas in the country.

In 2023 alone, 18,504 candidates were found to have engaged in various forms of cheating. Early indicators for 2024 suggest the problem is not abating.

At a recent stakeholders’ forum, Daniel Nii Dodoo, Head of Humanities at WAEC’s Test Division, warned that the surge in malpractice threatens not just academic integrity but national security. “It undermines institutions and erodes public trust,” he said, calling for immediate intervention in hotspot regions.

Dodoo emphasized that while the Ashanti Region continues to record significant irregularities, the Bono areas now lead in confirmed cases. He clarified that the data is not meant to stigmatize any area but to prompt targeted interventions by regional education directors.

He urged stricter enforcement of regulations and tighter monitoring across schools: “Unchecked malpractice devalues certificates and risks exposing underqualified individuals in the job market.”

The Council also listed modern cheating tactics, including the use of phones, AI platforms, and photocopied answer sheets. Some candidates even smuggle foreign materials into exam halls.

WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, underscored the role of evolving technologies in fueling the trend and warned that without strong cooperation from stakeholders—including the Ghana Education Service, school heads, and local authorities—the education system’s credibility is at risk.

WAEC states that a coordinated national response is crucial to restoring integrity and safeguarding the future of Ghana’s students.

Mahama Announces Imminent Ban on Styrofoam for Food Packaging

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the government will soon impose a nationwide ban on the importation and use of Styrofoam for food packaging, citing its harmful impact on the environment.

Marking World Environment Day, the President highlighted Styrofoam—commonly used for takeout food—as a significant source of pollution in Ghana. “When you go to buy your food, and they put it in that white plastic container, you eat it and then just dump it,” he said. “That is one of the biggest polluters.”

Mahama emphasised that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, will soon outlaw both the production and importation of Styrofoam. He called on manufacturers and importers to prepare for the shift, urging a transition to alternatives such as paper or aluminium foil packaging.

“We’re going to ban the importation of Styrofoam plastics,” he stated. “We have to use paper packaging or aluminium foil for packaging our food.”

He also emphasised the importance of transitioning away from landfill-based waste management and adopting sustainable practices. The pending ban, he said, forms part of a wider national policy to reduce plastic waste, protect public health, and preserve ecosystems.

Environmental groups have welcomed the move, calling it a significant step toward a more sustainable and eco-conscious Ghana.

UTAG, TUTAG, CETAG Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Research Allowance

Three major tertiary education unions in Ghana—UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG—have jointly issued an ultimatum to the government over delays in the payment of their Book and Research Allowance (BRA). The associations state that if payment processes do not commence by Thursday, the 13th of June, 2025, they will embark on a nationwide strike.

In a joint statement issued today, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) expressed what they called “deep concern and discontent” over what they described as an undue delay in releasing the approved exchange rate and subsequent payment of the allowance.

“This delay has caused significant uncertainty and frustration among our members, who depend on this critical support for their research and academic work,” the unions said.

Following a joint meeting held on the 8th of June 2025, the associations resolved that the government must urgently release the applicable exchange rate and commence the payment process.

“Despite the late release of the rates, we have resolved that we will not accept an extension of payments beyond September 2025,” they stressed. “This allowance is a statutory entitlement under our Conditions of Service and an essential resource for advancing research, teaching, and knowledge sharing.”

The unions warned that failure to act by the deadline would be treated as a formal strike notice.

“If the government fails to commence the payment process by the 13th of June 2025, this will trigger an immediate industrial action across all campuses,” the statement warned.

The associations concluded by urging swift government intervention to avoid disruptions to the academic calendar. “We urge the government to act swiftly to avert any disruption and ensure that the welfare of teachers and the broader academic community is prioritised.”

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