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We’ll build more SHSs across nation
Following the successful rollout of the Free Senior High School (SHS) educational policy three years ago, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the government will build more senior high schools across the country.
“It is the ambition that we will be able to plant senior secondary schools all across the country so that access to senior high school will become real for every child in the country,” he said.
In a meeting with a delegation from the Kologo traditional area in the Upper East Region at the Jubliee House in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said the decision forms part of government’s efforts to improve access to education in Ghana.
The government has taken up the full cost of tuition of all students under the Free SHS policy and is providing free accommodation, feeding, uniforms, and textbooks. Additionally, expansion projects are ongoing in almost all SHSs across the country.
The Free SHS policy has increased high school enrolment significantly, with over a million students enjoying free education in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo’s comment was in response to a request by the traditional leaders for an SHS in Kologo.
He promised to ensure that the community benefits from an SHS and pledged to grant their request for a district hospital under the government’s project to construct 88 district hospitals across the country.
On security, the President said he will, through the Ministry of Interior, grant the community’s request for a police station.
He said the Interior Minister has developed a plan to expand the number of police stations in Ghana to enhance the country’s peace and stability.
The Paramount Chief of Kologo, Naba Clifford Abagna Asobayire, speaking through his spokesperson, thanked the President for accepting their request for the meeting, the first by any sitting president.
He also praised the government for his commitment to develop Kologo, adding that the President deserved commendation for honouring his promise to construct the road from Navrongo to Kologo.
He said work on the road has commenced and is steadily progressing, and noted that when completed, the road project will go a long way to develop the area.
The Paramount Chief also thanked the President for supporting residents in the area during the 2018 flood.
“The speed with which you did it shows great leadership. It included constructing over 100 dwelling units for those displaced by the floods and we are very grateful for that,” he said.
By Yaw Kyei
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
