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Final year, Form 2 SHS students return to school
Final year Senior High School (SHS) students have started returning to school in various parts of the country to enable them commence with their academic work.
The students who are mostly in their final year will also be preparing for the final West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
A visit by the Ghanaian Times to some of the schools in Accra revealed that a sizeable number of students had returned to school.
In line with the measures as outlined by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the schools have also taken delivery of quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
At the Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School in Kaneshie, students were seen receiving their masks and sanitisers and this was after they had been screened with an infrared thermometer, commonly known as thermometer gun.
A source who spoke to the Ghanaian Times said most students had returned to school and had been divided into a group of 25 each for the classes to commence on Tuesday.
At Accra Academy, the situation was the same as majority of students had returned and waiting for classes to commence today.
A manual on safety protocols prepared by the school had been shared to students who had reported.
Similarly, students had reported to school at the Kaneshie Senior High Technical School (KATECO).
As at the time of our visit, most of the students who had been supplied with their hygiene frills had closed from classes.
The Assistant Headmaster of KATECO explained that, because the students had stayed home for a while without effective teaching and learning, they had been advised to put in more effort in their studies in the six weeks’ period.
He added that, students were educated on the safety protocols on COVID-19, something he mentioned would continue until the students’ complete school.
A number of parents who spoke to the paper expressed confidence in the arrangement made by the school authorities regarding protocols on the COVID-19, and underscored that the return of students to school was very important.
Madam Cecelia Annor, a parent of a Gold track student at Accra Academy said, she was “glad students were going back to school”.
She further stated that, not all the students studied while home, so the six weeks would be helpful in their preparation to the 2020 WASCCE.
Meanwhile, students who had returned to school went about their activities without showing any signs of fear or panic.
Some students we spoke to told us that, they were ready for the exams and very optimistic of excelling.
From Koforidua, AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN reports that, schools in the Eastern Region reopened amidst strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Schools visited include, Ghana Senior High School, Oti Boateng SHS, and Koforidua Senior High Technical School and Pope John Senior High School.
It was observed by the paper that, Veronica buckets had been placed at vantage points at the entrance of the schools.
Students and teachers were also seen washing their hands and wearing nose masks while they were screened and their contacts taken before they were allowed to enter.
Speaking to the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Margaret Nsiah Asamoah said her outfit has received some PPEs from the government.
She said the items included Veronica buckets, thermometer guns, tissues, soaps among others, adding that the items would be shared to all schools in Koforidua.
FROM THE UPPER WEST REGION, LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, reports that, students had started trickling into the various schools on the first day of reopening.
Checks by the Ghanaian Times at some SHS in the region showed that most teaching and non-teaching staff were already at post, awaiting the arrival of the students.
At the WA Senior High/Technical School, almost every staff had reported and was receiving their nose masks as well as bottles of hand sanitiser each from the school’s administration.
The headmaster for the school, Mr Ismail Salih told the paper that the school had received hand washing items as well as gun thermometers and PPEs from the education directorate in the region on Saturday.
Touching on isolation centres, Mr Salih said the school was still preparing a sick bay but had designated a dormitory to serve the purpose for the time being and encouraged parents to let their wards report to school.
At the Wa Senior High School, four Veronica buckets had been mounted at vantage points of the school while students who had reported were undergoing screening with an infrared thermometer before they were allowed entry into the school’s premises.
Checks at the Tupaso Senior High School, a private institution at WA revealed that few students had reported, although classes had been scheduled to commence today.
Handwashing facilities had been mounted at the entrance and other vantage points on the school compound.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times, the Regional Director of Education, Mr Godfrey Gongyeru stated that the schools were ready to commence academic work, latest by Wednesday, irrespective of the CODVID-19 pandemic.
He assured parents that the school authorities and staff would endeavour to safeguard the wellbeing of the students.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
