GOV’T TO REVIEW FREE SHS TO IMPROVE QUALITY – Haruna Iddrisu The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has emphasized that the government’s review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy aims to improve quality over quantity and not to abolish the program. During a debate on the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, he reaffirmed that Free SHS remains a key government initiative, as stated by President John Mahama. However, concerns have been raised about its implementation, particularly regarding student assessments and educational standards. Iddrisu referenced discussions from the recent National Education Forum, where over 5,000 stakeholders participated. He noted that Ghana’s education system currently lacks clear academic distinctions in student performance, allowing nearly all students to progress regardless of their assessment scores. Stakeholders have questioned whether the program should continue in its current form or if a means-testing system should be introduce

MINORITY CALLS ON PREZ OVER INTIMIDATIONS AND ATTACKS ON NPP APPOINTEES. The minority caucus in parliament has raised some concerns of lawlessness in the operations of the national security raiding the premises of some NPP government officials causing intimidations and attacks. Addressing their concerns to the Media, The minority leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin said one Richard Jakpa a known NDC activist who described himself as director of operations national security led some armed men to raid the house of the former governor of the central bank Dr Ernest Addison residence at Roman Ridge Accra. According to him, when Dr Addison enquired from Mr Jakpa on his mission, he said he was looking for a vault which to them, Mr Addison had some money in it. Osahen Afenyo Markin alleged that some of the NDC foot soldiers who paraded themselves as national security operators took away some cash, earrings and jewelry belonging to the wife of the governor. Some gadgets in

Anas, sued Ken for defamation. Defamation is when someone makes false statements that harm another person's reputation. Where did the statements happen? • The initial defamatory statements were made on an online program called "Daddy Fred's Show." • These statements were then repeated in a newspaper called "Amanee newspaper" on March 17, 2022. Why was Anas able to sue in the USA? Because the defamatory statements, after being made on the online platform, were published in the USA through the "Amanee newspaper." This publication in the US gave US courts jurisdiction (the legal authority to hear the case). What was the difference between the Ghana and USA cases? • USA: In the United States, the case was decided by a jury of 8 people. The jury unanimously found Ken guilty of defamation. • Ghana: There was a separate, previous case related to the same issue in Ghana. In Ghana, a judge, rather than a jury, made the decision. What mistake did Ken's lawyers make in the US case? Ke

Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, today launched a book authored by Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley titled "Parliamentary Diplomacy - The Ghanaian Approach". During the launch, Speaker Bagbin urged leaders across the nation to cultivate the habit of reading, emphasizing that effective leadership is grounded in continuous learning. "If you want to lead, you must learn to read." Ghana Parliament

MINORITY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM AG OVER AKWATIA MP'S ARREST. The Minority leader, Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, called on the Attorney General to answer questions over the attempt to arrest the member of parliament for Akwatia Mr Ernest Yaw Kumi . Addressing the media, they (minority) find it strange the minister justified the actions of the national investigative (NIB). He explained that this clearly indicates a collusion between the government and the koforidua High Court. The Effutu lawmaker narrated the awful incident in an attempt to arrest the MP. " So for a week after the ruling of the court to hear that state security have been harassing the MP in his constituency. But for the intervention of his constituents They were armed with picked vehicles, they actually pulled pistol to threaten and force him into the pick up. " He lamented. According to him,the supreme Court had already frozen the enforcement of that order. He assured the government to file a questi

MAHAMA AYARIGA CONDEMN'S MILITARY BRUTALITIES IN BAWKU. Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, condemns in no uncertain terms the brutality meted out to women, children, old men and innocent youth in the night of Tuesday 18th March 2025 in some sections of Bawku Municipality. He vows to demand total accountability on the part of the military. The Member of Parliament has said the conduct of the military is unacceptable. Whilst he regrets the accidental killing of a military personnel by an unknown gunman and condemns that dastardly act, he states that ransacking and beating innocent civilians and holding the whole town to ransom is equally detested. The rule of law must prevail. Soldiers who are responsible for ensuring law and order should never do that. The Majority leader has urged the leadership of Bawku and the military to collaborate to investigate the killing of the military personnel instead of the approach adopted by the military command. Mr Ayariga e

US EXPELS SOUTH AFRICA 'S AMBASSADOR. The US has expelled South Africa's Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. According to a diplomatic note from the department of state, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool will no longer be recognized by them. The department of state in accordance with article 9 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations has ceased his privileges and immunities. They explained that, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool's recent comments regarding the president of the United States, Donald Trump were deeply offensive. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and his dependent are to evacuate from the United States not later than March 21,2025.

POST BUDGET WORKSHOP: MINISTER CALLS FOR SUPPORT. The finance minister, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has called on members to support him as they have done to other finance ministers. Speaking at a three days post budget workshop held in parliament today 15th March 2025, he outlined the major policies and measures to bring out good living conditions to Ghanaians. Also the clerk to parliament, Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror encouraged members to participate to enable them to ask tough questions and challenge assumptions to ensure that the 2025 budget policy truly reflects the people's needs and welfare. He showed confidence that their deliberation will ensure a great scrutiny which will result in accountability and good governance. The Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga revealed that the idea behind this workshop is to help members understand the estimate and figures in the budget to enable them educate the ordinary Ghanaian. He added that, experts are made available from the va

SPEAKER CHARGES MPS TO STAY FOCUS AS HE OPENS POST BUDGET WORKSHOP. Parliament has commenced a three days post budget workshop which is expected to end on Monday 17th March 2025. The RT Hon Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has charged Members of Parliament to make judicious use of the Post budget workshop to enhance their understanding of government's policy outlook for the 2025 financial year. Addressing members on the floor of parliament, he believes this will help them make meaningful contributions to the approval of the estimates and appropriations and most importantly, educating their constituents on the economic outlook as formulated by the government. "Make use of Workshop to be able to educate your constituents" His expectation is for the house to have a national vision which he believes will help them trace and track a major success. He added that this will enable them hold the government accountable for its promises to Ghanaians. As law makers t

MINORITY CHALLENGES ATO FORSON ON INACCURACIES OF THE BUDGET STATEMENT The former finance minister Mohammed Amin Adam has set the records straight on the true budget statement. The minority has over the week expressed concerns that, the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government presented by the Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has a lot of loopholes and inaccuracies. Addressing the media in Parliament members of the minority who are abreast with issues of Finance and the economy elaborated that, considering how Ato Forson is managing the finance of the country, it is likely that NDC will take the country back to unsustainable debt rate. He added that, it is important to note that, the Arrears Clearance Strategy prepared by the Ministry of Finance and submitted to the IMF in 2023 in fulfilment of the end-September 2023 Structural Benchmark, the amount in expenditure claims which he indicated that the arrears were GHs47.5 billion. According to Dr Amin this amount, af

US DEPORTATION: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY GHANAIANS IN DETENTION-.MINISTER The foreign affairs minister, Hon Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has updated members of parliament on the deportation exercises by the US government. Speaking on the floor of parliament, he indicated that one hundred and fifty Ghanaians are currently in detention across various centers in the US, awaiting deportation for crimes such as rape, Internet fraud and illegal entry. The MP for North Tongu added that, fifty out of the one hundred and fifty individuals have received final deportation orders from the court. He explained that the deportation is expected to take place by mid- year. The remaining one hundred cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed. He revealed that three Ghanaians have been processed and are scheduled to depart from the US with a commercial flight on 19th March ,28th March and 1st April 2025 respectively. Mr Okudjeto Ablakwa mentioned that the ministry is in discussion with N

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