Sheriff Willy, Author at Ghana Education News

FBI Source Accused of Fabricating Allegations of Biden Bribery

March 10, 2024February 17, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

False accusations regarding an alleged bribery conspiracy involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and a Ukrainian corporation have been levelled against an ex-FBI informant.

The 43-year-old Alexander Smirnov is charged with lying over his acceptance of funds from the energy company Burisma.

According to the Justice Department, Mr. Smirnov’s animosity for President Biden led him to make false claims to the FBI.

Republican efforts to impeach Mr. Biden had been based on his assertions.

Later this month, Hunter Biden—who has adamantly refuted the charges made against him—is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee over the accusations.

ALSO READ: Russian Opposition Leader, Alexei Navalny, Dies In Prison

Following his return from a trip abroad, Mr. Smirnov was taken into custody in Las Vegas on Thursday, according to the Justice Department. He was accused of giving a misleading statement.

Hunter Biden’s probe has been overseen by Special Counsel David Weiss. In a 37-page indictment document made public on Thursday, Weiss accused Mr. Smirnov of giving the FBI “false derogatory information” about the president and his son in June 2020.

Prosecutors claim that after Mr. Smirnov voiced prejudice against the former vice president and after Mr. Biden was solidified as the Democratic presidential contender ahead of the 2020 election, this information was given.

Republicans in Congress have utilised Mr. Smirnov’s accusations over the past year to support their impeachment investigation of President Biden.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated, “A trusted FBI informant has alleged a bribe to the Biden family,” when he announced the investigation.

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Later, Republicans were able to force the FBI to make their documents about Mr. Smirnov’s claims public.

Senior congressional Republicans at the time admitted that there was no proof Joe Biden had received any funds from Ukraine and that the accusation was unfounded.

During a series of meetings in 2015 and 2016, Mr. Smirnov had initially claimed that Burisma officials had claimed they had engaged the president’s son Hunter to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems”.

Hunter, Mr. Biden’s son, was a board member of Burisma at the time, and he was Vice President under President Barack Obama.

Additionally, a criminal inquiry into Burisma was carried out by the Ukrainian prosecutor general at the time.

Citing the company’s legal concerns, Mr. Smirnov asserted that Hunter “will take care of all of those issues through his dad” because the company had given $5 million to each of Mr. Biden and his son.

In actuality, according to the prosecution, Mr. Smirnov had first communicated with Burisma representatives in 2017, following the resignation of Mr. Biden as vice president and the dismissal of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General in February of that same year.

“In other words, when [Joe Biden] had no ability to influence US policy and when the Prosecutor General was no longer in office,” according to the indictment.

After voicing prejudice against the president and his candidature, the prosecution also stated that Mr Smirnov “transformed his routine and extraordinary business contact with Burisma in 2017 and later into bribery allegations against [Joe Biden]”.

After claiming to have met with Russian authorities, Mr. Smirnov allegedly altered some of his account and made new accusations when questioned by FBI investigators in 2023.

Mr. Smirnov may spend up to 25 years in jail if found guilty of Allegations of Biden Bribery.

Dr. Kingsley Nyarko New Appointee Deputy Minister for Education

February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

President Akufo-Addo has named Honourable Kingsley Nyarko as the Deputy Minister of Education in Charge of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) following the dismissal of Gifty Twum-Ampofo.

Following a reshuffle that was announced on Wednesday morning, His Excellency revealed the list of ministers relieved of their posts in government, which included the dismissal of Mrs. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North.

In compliance with articles 78, 79, and 256 of the Constitution, respectively, Akufo-Addo has submitted the names of the new candidates for appointment as Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State to Parliament for approval prior to the reorganisation.

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

He thanked all of the departing ministers and deputy ministers for their commitment, skill, hard work, and dedication during their tenure in office in a statement obtained by Thisterm.com.

“The President sincerely thanked all of the Ministers and Deputy Ministers who have left the Government for their hard work, dedication, competence, and commitment to their roles, which have helped the Government fulfil its mandate to the Ghanaian people over the past seven (7) years. He also wished each of them luck in their future endeavours,” the statement continued.

The profile Kingsley Nyarko

Ghanaian politician, the Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Kingsley Nyarko represents the Kwadaso constituency in the Ashanti Region of Ghana in parliament. In addition, he serves as the Ghanaian National Accreditation Board’s (NAB) secretary. He is a New Patriotic Party member.

Nyarko is a native of Obo Kwahu, which is located in Ghana’s Eastern Region. He was born on June 10, 1973. He obtained his Teacher Certificate in 1995, Ordinary level in 1992, Advanced level in 1997, and Common entry in 1986.

He also holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from 2008, a master’s degree in educational psychology/differential psychology from 2005, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from 2000.

Nyarko was the Mile 18 Junior High School’s headmaster. In addition, he tutored students at Ejisuman Senior High School. In addition, he worked with Voicecash as the African Representative and Marketing Specialist.

In addition, he served as the Danquah Institute’s executive director. He worked at the University of Ghana as a Senior Lecturer. In addition, he served as the National Accreditation Board’s Executive Secretary.

Create Case Management Protocols for SHSs – Eduwatch

February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has been urged to work with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to create a case management protocols for ill pupils in schools by the education think tank Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch).

This comes after a first-year Aburi Girls Senior High School (SHS) student passed away last week.

It stated that “parent associations and old students must be interested in the state and functioning of health facilities in their schools while providing support” and that “GES should liaise with the GHS to ensure sickbays had the necessary drugs, competent personnel, and basic facilities to function under the NHIS.”

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

The Appropriate resources (Case Management Protocols)

According to Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Eduwatch, every school sickbay needs to have adequate resources and a designated car for managing emergency situations, as reported by the Daily Graphic.

He highlighted the instance at Aburi Girls, when it was necessary to summon the deceased’s parents, who resided in Ablekuma, Accra, to the school as a bad discretion.

He highlighted, “If such case management Protocols had existed and been followed, we probably could have saved the girl’s life.” He went on to say that one advantage of having a protocol was that it allowed for the accountability of each actor involved in the health case management process.

The criminal Investigations Departement

Eduwatch commended the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for initiating the inquiry into the incident and recommended that it be carried out to the fullest extent possible, with the results made public.

It stated that the terrible incident at Aburi Girls SHS was not the first, which is concerning.

According to the think tank, at least a few well-publicized secondary school deaths have occurred since 2017 as a result of school administrators’ improper use of discretion in denying ill children the opportunity to receive care at home or in a hospital.

It mentioned the St. Monica’s High School incident from the previous year, among other things.

Although it is typically used with diligence, this discretionary power can be abused due to a variety of factors, including personal prejudices.

NACOC Seizes Over a Million Tramadol Tablets

March 10, 2024February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

On Monday, January 29, 2024, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) intercepted numerous tramadol capsules and tablets at the Tema port.

According to a statement made by NACOC on February 13, 2024, the confiscated products included one million and thirty-five thousand (1,035,000) tramadol tablets and capsules with a net weight of four thousand seven hundred and thirty-four point thirty-eight kilogrammes (4,734.38 kg).

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“It was discovered that the varieties of tramadol capsules and tablets include five thousand (5,000) Royal tablets amounting to fifty-one (51) cartons weighing 225mg, six thousand capsules of Timaking totalling ninety (90) cartons weighing 120mg, and six thousand capsules of Trafradol totalling forty (40) cartons weighing 120mg,” the press release highlighted.

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

The exercise was part of the Commission’s mandate relating to examinations conducted on containers at the Tema Port.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, NACOC discovered 5,000 royal tablets totaling 51 cartons weighing 225 mg, 6,000 Timaking capsules totaling 90 cartons weighing 120 mg, and 6,000 Tramadol capsules totaling 40 cartons weighing 120 mg.

“The Commission has taken custody of the seized consignment and is in the process of handing it over to the Food and Drug Authority for further investigations,” the release further stated.

NACOC has assured the public that it is committed to curtailing the drug trafficking threat.

“The Commission would like to use this medium to remind the general public that possessing and transporting illicit drugs without lawful authorization from a legally mandated outfit is illegal and punishable under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of Act 1019 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020,” the Commission warned.

Finance Minister Ofori-Atta is Fired

March 3, 2024February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

President Akufo-Addo has made changes to his government, with some famous ministers losing their places to newcomers and others being transferred to different ministries.
On Wednesday, February 14, the presidency issued a press release confirming that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been fired and replaced by Dr. Mohammed Amin Anta, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Health Minister, is also stepping down to make way for Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, the current CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority.

ALSO READ: Akufo Addo’s Valentine’s Day Reshuffle List Out

Ambrose Dery, the Interior Minister, will also step down in favour of Henry Quartey, the current Greater Accra Regional Minister.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information, will move to the Ministry of Works and Housing as Deputy Minister of Information, while Fatima Abubakar takes over.

Meanwhile, Asenso Boakye, Minister of Works and Housing, visits the Ministry of Roads and Highways in place of Kwasi Amoako-Atta.

Titus Glover, Member of Parliament for Tema East, will take over as Greater Accra Regional Minister, while Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, succeeds his boss Dan Botwe.

Seyram Alhassan, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, succeeds Freda Prempeh as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.

The president personally explains is his sincere appreciation directly to each of the ministers and deputy ministers, who have exited government, from their commitment, competence, dedication, and hard work in office, which helped in the realization of government’s mandate to Ghanaian people over the last 7 years, and wished each of them well in their future in the endeavours.

Following the reorganization, President Akufo-Addo submitted to Parliament, for Pure approval, through the speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the names of following persons for the appointment as ministers in deputy ministers of state in accordance with articles 78 79 and 256 respectively of the constitution

President Akufo-Addo is hopeful that Parliament will, once again on a bi-partisan basis, expedited the approval of the nominees, so they can join the government forthwith, and assist in the delivery of his mandate for a second time in office.

UDS Established Fund to Support Academic Research

February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

A special-purpose financing project has been developed by the University for Development Studies (UDS) to gather funds for academic research on national challenges, particularly those that impact people in the country’s north.

UDS Established Fund with a GH¢500,000 (US$100,000) initial fund, the Sustainable Research Fund for Northern Ghana (SRF4NG) will be overseen by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR).

This fund would give qualified individuals, including faculty, staff, and students, financial resources in the form of grants so they could carry out any kind of applied sciences research or capacity building that might be pertinent to the university’s mission as well as the socioeconomic development of northern Ghana and beyond.

Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, vice chancellor of UDS, pointed out that the fund’s establishment aims to finance strategic research projects that will help the university’s particular catchment areas as well as Ghana and other regions.

According to him, research initiatives that enhance food security, environmental preservation, sustainable development, and economic empowerment in northern Ghana are anticipated to receive funding from the fund.

Through offering a specialised funding source for research projects, UDS Established Fund and hopes to promote an innovative and knowledge-generating culture that can solve urgent local problems, generate employment opportunities, and support the region’s long-term growth.

The government’s regional minister, Shani Alhassan Saibu, contributed GH₵100,000 to kickstart the effort, while Speaker of Parliament Alban Suman Kingsford Bagbin, a resident of the north, committed GH₵50,000 to the fund.

Speaker of the House of Commons Alban Suman Kingsford Bagbin applauded UDS management for the effort, stating that it will help to guarantee high-caliber research.

In order to assist the fund and help it reach its objectives, he urged former students and northern indigenous people, particularly the parliamentarian caucus.

According to the regional minister, the programme is in line with the nation’s efforts to address domestic development issues, such as environmental sustainability and economic growth, as well as its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A significant region for agricultural activity is northern Ghana, where smallholder farmers grow both cash crops and food. Initiatives to promote sustainable practices, like climate-smart agriculture and forest preservation, have been focused on the region.

Dr. Adam Bonaa, a security analyst, urged faculty, staff, and students to make use of the money.

Prof. Stephen Kendie, Research Professor at the University of Cape Coast’s Department of Integrated Development Studies, emphasised that all institutions must set up a fund to assist internal research.

Kibi Senior High Technical Triumphs in Kingsley Quizzes

February 14, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

In the second iteration of the Kingsley Quizzes Inter High School Debate Competition, which was held in Kyebi, Eastern Region, Kibi Senior High Technical once again proved their dominance in debates.

They overcame Abuakwa State College in a thrilling final match, securing their victory as they did in the competition’s debut edition, which included all of the area’s secondary schools. They were presented with a coveted golden trophy as a prize for their achievements.

Each of the three pupils representing their different schools received a laptop computer and an undisclosed monetary prize. Additionally, their teachers and schools earned monetary incentives.

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

The motion, “J.B. Danquah’s Ideological Contributions Have Played a Defining Role in Shaping Ghana’s Socio-Political and Cultural Landscape,” sparked the debate. Abuakwa State College opposed the measure, while Kibi Senior High Technical defended it.

The tournament coincided with the final funeral ceremonies for J.B. Danquah, who died 59 years ago.

Doctor Agyemang.

The Quizzes Inter High School tournament is one of numerous efforts spearheaded by Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, to improve educational standards in the region. Other activities include mentorship programmes, high school football tournaments, junior high school maths and science quizzes, and elementary school spelling bees and readerthons.

The quiz competition demonstrated the students’ research skills, presentation ability, oratory skills, and analytical thinking as they effectively disputed their opponents’ claims. Both teams backed up their assertions with films, pictures, and other documentary evidence

Abdul Karim, Abigail Asantewa Afriyie, and Mohammed Dauda represented Abuakwa State College, while Herty Ocansey, Larence Nii Lamptey, and Kathrina Ohenewa represented Kibi Senior High Technical.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Agyemang emphasised the importance of the students’ analytical and intellectual talents, particularly in public speaking and civic arguments. He encouraged students to follow J.B. Danquah’s example, emphasising the need of honesty, accountability, and perseverance in achieving personal achievement.

Dr. Agyemang challenged the students to stand firm in their beliefs, especially in the face of adversity, and to strive for success through diligence and integrity.

Over 500 Ghanaian Students To Study in France – French Embassy

March 3, 2024February 12, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

A French government organization called Campus France has reported that there are 500 Ghanaian students enrolled in French universities at the moment.

Over 500 Ghanaian Students are Enrolled in Studies in France

The information that over 500 Ghanaian students are enrolled in studies in France was announced by Ms. Beatrice Khaiat, Deputy Director of Campus France, Paris. While making the announcement, she stated that while the number of students was good, Ghana and France could perform better working together.

It’s fantastic; however, the majority of your pupils are welcome in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada, and we are far from them. Together, we can do more,” she remarked.

At the opening of the Ghana-France Higher Education and Research Conference in Accra this year, Ms. Khaiat made that statement.

This year’s conference, which spans four days and is the sixth in the series, is being sponsored by the French Embassy in Ghana and Campus France, a French higher education organization that supports and encourages students and individuals looking to study in France.

Attending the event is a French delegation of twelve higher education institutions, comprising public universities, business schools, and engineering schools.

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

The Marketing

The goal is to foster mutual understanding and foster conversations between French and Ghanaian higher education institutions regarding potential collaborations for faculty and student exchange programmes and the creation of collaborative research initiatives.

According to Ms. Khaiat, Campus France organised two of these gatherings in 2019 and 2021 in collaboration with the embassy.

“Those occasions have strengthened ties between French and Ghanaian organisations.

She stated that the organization’s main goal was to promote French higher education overseas. “In the meantime, the number of Ghanaian students coming to France increased by 33 percent,” she said.

She stated that the French Embassy awarded 85 scholarships to Ghanaian students enrolled in French the previous year.

The Dedication of France

“It is evident that France is dedicated to accepting students from around the world.

We have been working on a policy since 2018 dubbed “Bienvenue en France,” which translates to “Welcome to France.” By 2027, we hope to have 500,000 international students studying in France.

“France is ranked sixth in terms of international students and welcomes over 400,000 students from around the world,” the spokesperson stated.

Speaking French was no longer a requirement for studying in France, according to Ms. Khaiat, who also mentioned that the nation provided more than 1,500 English-taught programmes.

It’s also crucial to understand that, in contrast to Anglo-Saxon nations, public university tuition in France is incredibly inexpensive. A PhD only costs 380€ each year, a bachelor’s 2770€, and a master’s 3770€,” the speaker stated.

Check other scholarships here

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a Deputy Minister of Education, welcomed attendees to the conference and stated that the Ministry of Education was still dedicated to enhancing its relationships with France in the field of education.

According to him, since 2010, Ghana and the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) have worked together on research projects that have included, among other things, infectious illness research.

The Partnership

“The Ministry of Education is resolute in creating pathways for more academic collaborations with France and francophone institutions,” he stated.

Jules-Armand Aniambossou, the French ambassador to Ghana, stated that for the benefit of both countries, France and Ghana needed to listen to and learn from one another.

Check other scholarships here

He noted that one of the reasons the conference was taking place was because both countries have excellent educational systems.

The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration has a long history of collaboration with French higher education institutions, according to Augustina Akonnor, acting deputy rector of the institute.

READ: 2024-2025 MTN Bright Scholarship Application Open

She claimed that the development of international partnerships was the way of the future and that the majority of universities worldwide had anticipated the vital role that international academic partnerships would play in supporting a global ecosystem for higher education.

Wesley Girls: Do you also Indulge in Exam Malpractices?

February 12, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

In a sarcastic response to a recent comment by former President John Mahama on exam malpractices, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked students at Cape Coast’s Wesley Girls if they were truly engaging in malpractices in collaboration with the government, as was alleged.

President Akufo-Addo’s query comes after former President John Dramani Mahama said that Ghanaian students’ recent good WASSCE results were not a real indication of their abilities, but were obtained through examination malpractices.

According to the former President, who is also the opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 candidate, some invigilators collaborated with teachers to help students cheat on the exam.

For him, exam malpractices jeopardises the quality and integrity of education, explaining that “you certify these children saying they are of this standard, either the BECE or the SSCE, and that child will use that certificate, go abroad to a school, and they will find out that your qualification is not up to the standard you say it is.”

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

The former President stated that aiding pupils to cheat in exams will have a significant impact on Ghana, saying, “In many places, children are allowed to cheat. You go someplace, and the teachers conspire with the pupils to cheat. “The effect will be seen later.”

Mr Mahama’s statement comes after the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, declared that the most recent WASSCE results are the best since 2015.

However, in response to Mr Mahama’s charges, President Akufo-Addo, who was speaking at the 187th address and prize-giving day of Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, described the allegations as terrible remarks intended to make a political point. He found it unfortunate that such a statement came from a former President of Ghana.

He stated that former President Mahama had no reason to doubt the integrity of Ghanaian WASSCE results, pointing out that the exceptional WASSCE results from Ghanaian students were the outcome of improved quality and access to education in the country.

President Akufo-Addo then asked Wesley Girls’ High School students if they cheated in WASSCE.

Students of Wesley Girls High School; Wey Gey “Hey girls, do you cheat on exams?” The students responded with a thundering nay to President Akufo-Addo’s question.

Akufo-Addo blasts Mahama for doubting 2023 WASSCE results

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 by Sheriff Willy

Akufo-Addo challenges John Dramani Mahama for doubting the new and recent WASSCE results for 2023 SHS graduates.

Former president John Mahama’s criticism of the West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results is regretful, according to President Akufo-Addo.

Former President Mahama, who is also the NDC’s candidate for the 2024 election, blamed this suspicion on some invigilators’ laxity, which permits teachers to help pupils during exams.

This criticism follows Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum’s claim that this year’s exam results are the best since 2015.

READ: Free SHS is expensive – Parents bemoan as over 137,000 students fail to report to school due to lack of funds

“Many places allow youngsters to cheat. You go someplace, and the teachers conspire with the pupils to cheat. “The effect will be seen later,” Mr. Mahama stated.

The former President, who was on his “Building Ghana Tour,” warned that the development will have serious ramifications for the country’s educational system in the future.

“You certify these kids, claiming they meet this standard [BECE or WASSCE ], and when they use that certificate to enrol in a school overseas, they will discover that your certification is not as good as you claim it is.”

However, during the 187th speech and prize-giving day at Cape Coast’s Wesley Girls High School, President Akufo Addo dismissed the criticism as unfounded.

“Contrary to common belief, the vast excess and increased quality have gone hand in hand. Long may it continue.

“It is unfortunate, however, that the sad nature of some aspects of contemporary Ghanaian politics has prompted some otherwise allegedly responsible people, including your former President and current NDC Presidential candidate, to question the integrity of the results without any basis and to attribute these results to cheating.

“Do any of the Wesley Girls High School students cheat on exams? This resounding no will send a clear message to individuals who expressed these regrettable, mistaken feelings.”

The president also stated that the 2023 WASSCE results demonstrate the quality of tuition for the free senior high school programme.

“The WASSCE scores of the pupils I proudly name Akufo-Addo graduates demonstrate that the quality of education has not diminished, but rather improved dramatically.

“The results of the Akufo-Addo graduates in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are the only years in the past decade that show that more than 50% of the candidates obtained A1 to C6 in all core subjects,” he said.