Cancelled results evidence of “institutionalized malpractices” – Think Tank

Daniel Opare
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Cancelled results evidence of “institutionalized malpractices” – Think Tank

Educational Think Tank, Eduwatch, says the number of cancelled and withheld reults in the 2021 WASSCE confirms their allegations of widespread, institutionalized malpractices in many schools.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)  released the provisional results of candidates, who sat for the WASSCE in Ghana on Thursday.

A statement from WAEC stated that the entire results of 3,667 candidates had been withheld pending the conclusion of investigations into various cases of examination malpractice detected during and after the conduct of the examination.

The scripts of candidates from 194 schools in certain subjects have also been withheld and are being scrutinised.

The withheld results of candidates may be cancelled or released based on the outcome of the investigations.

A statement from EduWatch noted that while a lot of the 2021 malpractices fell through the cracks due to WAEC’s inertia towards invigilation, a few were caught in the web.

According to the statement, the problem in Ghana’s education system is the inequitable distribution of learning outcomes.

The statement added that National Averages have always looked good but potentially misleading without conducting a regional and district analysis to find out how many students are passing from Lambuise SH , Buipe SHS, Zabzugu SHS, Takoo SHS etc which have a history of 0% WASSCE pass rates

“Preliminary Observations on WASSCE 2021 Results For the second year running, over 50% of students obtained A1-C6 in the core papers. In terms of general targets for WASSCE Pass Rate in the Education Strategic Plan, GES met targets for Maths, Integrated Science and Social Studies. This is great, even though the target for English was missed. Now lets look beyond the national averages.

“The problem in our education system is the inequitable distribution of learning outcomes. National Averages have always looked good but potentially misleading without conducting a regional and district analysis to find out how many students are passing from Lambuise SH , Buipe SHS, Zabzugu SHS, Takoo SHS etc which have a history of 0% WASSCE pass rates. By 2019, all the about 30 schools in Upper West Region were scoring under 1%, when national pass rates was nearing 50%. It would be great to base any analysis of the results on the disaggregated regional and school level data which is not yet available, but would be done,” excerpts of the statement read.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Gunmen shoot dead 16 worshippers

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Gunmen shoot dead 16 worshippers

Gunmen in Nigeria’s Niger state have shot dead at least 16 worshippers in a mosque.

A number of others have been wounded in the attack in Ba’are village.

The attackers opened fire on the Muslim worshippers during early morning prayers on Wednesday, Niger state government official Ahmed Ibrahim Matane told the BBC.

He said the motorbike-riding gunmen also shot and killed one other person on the road as they zoomed off.

Residents have now deserted the remote community following the killings.

In neighbouring Katsina state, another group of gunmen have shot dead a senior government official at his residence.

Police say they’re investigating the killing of Rabe Nasir, the state commissioner of science and technology.

The region is grappling with a wave a kidnappings for ransom and killings by armed criminal gangs.

Earlier in the week, at least 23 travellers were ambushed by gunmen and burnt to death inside a bus in Sokoto state.

Read Also: GTBank Di Asa: 28 spared at eviction show

Burkina Faso and Niger say armies killed 100 militants

BBC World Service

Both Burkina Faso and Niger have been plagued by jihadist attacksImage caption: Both Burkina Faso and Niger have been plagued by jihadist attacks

Burkina Faso and Niger have issued a joint statement saying their combined armies have killed 100 Islamist militants in two weeks of operations.

There’s no independent confirmation of the claim, which was issued a day after Burkina Faso’s president Roch Kaboré sacked his prime minister in the wake of angry protests about increasing casualties caused by jihadist attacks.

On Thursday, at least 13 members of a civilian militia fighting the jihadists were killed in the north of the country.

The volunteer force was created three years ago in an effort to stop Islamist violence from spreading. More than 250 of its members have been killed.

Dozens of soldiers and police have also been killed over the past year.

Source: BBC

Dozens of inmates escape from prison

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Dozens of inmates escape from prison

Dozens of inmates from Boma prison in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo have escaped.

The prisoners took advantage of loud music that was playing at a funeral in the neighbourhood to distract the guards.

Some nine inmates were arrested near the prison and one injured as guards fired gunshots in the air, Radio Okapi reported.

Another 19 inmates are still at large, according to the radio station.

There have been several other jail breaks at Boma prison, which locals say is in urgent need of upgrading.

Read Also: GTBank Di Asa: 28 spared at eviction show

Tigray forces summarily executed civilians – rights group

Government and allied troops have recently reclaimed towns and cities in the Afar and Amhara regionsImage caption: Government and allied troops have recently reclaimed towns and cities in the Afar and Amhara regions

Rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Tigrayan forces summarily executed dozens of civilians in “apparent war crimes” in two towns they controlled in Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

The executions occurred between 31 August and 9 September this year, it says in a new report.

Witnesses described to HRW investigators that they saw Tigrayan fighters in Chenna and Kobo villages kill a total of 49 civilians in separate incidents.

“Tigrayan forces showed brutal disregard for human life and the laws of war by executing people in their custody,” said Lama Fakih, HRW’s crisis and conflict director.

“Tigrayan forces apparent war crimes in Chenna and Kobo spotlight the urgent need for all warring parties in Ethiopia to prioritise the protection of civilians,” she added.

The Tigrayan forces have not responded to the accusations.

HRW has called on the UN to establish an international inquiry into war crimes – and probe abuses by all parties in the Tigray conflict.

Government troops have recently reclaimed towns and cities in the Afar and Amhara regions, previously held by the Tigray fighters.

The year-long conflict in Ethiopia has created a huge humanitarian crisis with thousands killed and at least eight million people in urgent need of assistance.

Source: BBC

GTBank Di Asa: 28 spared at eviction show

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GTBank Di Asa: 28 spared at eviction show

All 28 contestants were spared at Wednesday’s eviction show of Atinka TV‘s flagship reality show, GTBank Di Asa season five.

They were spared because their fans wanted them to stay and voted for them.

However, about 8 of them might suffer eviction come Saturday before the grand finale of the show which will be held on December 27, 2021.

60 plus size women qualified to be part of the main GTBank Di Asa season five competition but 32 have been evicted.

They were all evicted because they had little or less votes despite having good dance skills.

Out of the remaining 28, 20 will be presented at the grand finale of the show.

The GTBank Di Asa Season Five will award the ultimate winner with a brand new salon car.

The first runner up will be given a mini truck (Abossey Okai Macho), while the second runner up takes home a tricycle (Aboboyaa).

Aside these, the queens will also enjoy goodies from the sponsors of the show.

Already, the vehicles for the winners have been purchased and received at the Head office of Atinka Media Village.

Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to vote for their favourite contestants on shortcode *737*215# on all networks to keep them in the competition.

The next show will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at a venue which will be communicated later to the public.

Read Also: GTBank Di Asa season 5: Five More evicted

In other news: GTBank Di Asa Season 5: Obolo and friends go home

Obolo

Obolo and friends, Nazy, Angy baby, Abena Kiki and Ama Linda have been evicted from Atinka TV’s flagship reality show, GTBank Di Asa season five.

Despite being good dancers, the five could not go through because they had very little votes.

One of them who was evicted, Angy Baby for instance is one good dancer but unfortunately was evicted because she also placed bottom on the voting chart.

Obolo, Nazy, Angy baby, Abena Kiki
and Ama Linda were given souvenirs from all the sponsors of the show.

In addition to their goodies, they were given GHC1,000 each to transport them to their various homes.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Akufo Addo’s assurance on two-term limit gives public peace of mind- MP

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Akufo Addo’s assurance on two-term limit gives public peace of mind- MP

The Member of Parliament for Mpohor Constituency, Mr John Kobina Abbam Aboah Sanie says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo’s assurance to leave peacefully after his two-term limit will give the public some peace of mind to go about their normal duties.

According to him, although it has always been the case that a sitting President under the Fourth Republic leaves office after two terms, a section of the public were skeptical if Akufo Addo will also leave peacefully or not, saying the assurance had become very necessary.

President Akufo Addo, speaking at the 2nd Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), on Wednesday, 8th December 2021, pledged to continue to respect the tenets of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

Specifically, the President stated that “I will not make or cause to be made any substantial modification to the electoral laws in the last six months before the next election; and I will respect the two-term limit for the exercise of presidential authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana”.

Continuing, he stressed that “I will not be an impediment to the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections; and I will hand over power to the next elected President on 7 th January 2025.”

President Akufo Addo assured participants at the he will rally his fellow ECOWAS Heads of States to take the pledge, “and support them as they continue to work towards democracy and good governance in their respective countries”.

Read Also: “I’ll respect two-term limit-Akufo-Addo assures

Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Aboah Sanie noted that some African Presidents during their last term try to change their constitution in order to stay in power longer than the usual.

A typical example is what happened in Guinea recently where its President, Alpha Conde was overthrown for changing the Constitution and staying longer than usual in power.

Mr Aboah Sanie said, “Some were skeptical whether he will go or not so once he has come out to say that after election, he will hand over peacefully to the winner, it brings some assurance and calmness which will make everyone have the peace of mind to go about their normal duties.”

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Two-term: Akufo-Addo gave assurance in his capacity as ECOWAS Chair- MP

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Two-term: Akufo-Addo gave assurance in his capacity as ECOWAS Chair- MP

The Member of Parliament for Mpohor Constituency, Mr John Kobina Abbam Aboah Sanie says the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo gave the assurance to hand over peacefully after serving his two terms in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairperson.

The assurance, he said was to tell African Leaders to be law abiding no matter the position they occupy.

President Akufo Addo, reaffirmed his belief in the principles of democratic accountability, which, he says, constitutes the basis of good governance in Ghana.

Speaking at the 2nd Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), on Wednesday, 8th December 2021, He pledged to continue to respect the tenets of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

Specifically, the President stated that “I will not make or cause to be made any substantial modification to the electoral laws in the last six months before the next election; and I will respect the two-term limit for the exercise of presidential authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana”.

Continuing, he stressed that “I will not be an impediment to the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections; and I will hand over power to the next elected President on 7 th January 2025.”

President Akufo Addo assured participants at the he will rally his fellow ECOWAS Heads of States to take the pledge, “and support them as they continue to work towards democracy and good governance in their respective countries”.

This got some Ghanaians saying it was obvious that the President will leave so such comments were not really necessary.

But speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simprmu, Mr Aboah Sanie said, “Being the ECOWAS Chair, he was making the statement for them to know that we have to be law abiding citizens whether you are a President or whatever, you are a citizen of the country and the Constitutuin of the country is paramount and so you have to just subject yourself to the rules and laws of the country. “

Read Also: “I’ll respect two-term limit-Akufo-Addo assures

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

WASSCE 2021: Double Track did not affect results – Educationist

Daniel Opare
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WASSCE 2021: Double Track did not affect results – Educationist

Mr George Akom, an educationist, says governments’ double track system did not affect the 2021 WASSCE results.

The double-track system which has been criticised many times since its inception is yet to be eliminated in various Senior High Schools.

Government has, however, given the assurance that system will end soon.

With the system, students are allocated either a green or gold track for each form and attend classes in an alternating manner.

Students also spend shorter time staying in contact with teachers in school and return home.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)  released the provisional results of candidates, who sat for the WASSCE in Ghana yesterday 8th December 2021.

A statement from the examination council gave the performance of the candidates with respect to the four core subjects as follows:

English Language: Al-C6 – 238,819 (54.08%) D7 50,255 (11.38%) E8 – 39,760 (9.00%) F9 – 61,778 (13.99%)

Mathematics (Core): Al-C6 – 238,539 (54.11 %) D7 39,547 (8.97%) E8 – 45,526 (10.33%) F9 – 88,631 (20.11%)

Integrated Science: Al-C6 – 289,329 (65.70%) E8 – 41,686 (9.47%) D7 66,178 (15.03%) F9 – 20,599 (4.68%)

Read Also: “We’ll make sure innocent students do not suffer” – WAEC on withheld results

Social Studies: Al-C6 – 290,545 (66.03%) E8 – 33,671 (7.65%) D7 41,506 (9.43%) F9 – 64,184 (14.59%)

In an interview with host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive, Kaakyie Ofori Ayim, Mr George Akom, an educationist, noted although there were slight changes in the results compared to that of 2020, the students did well especially in the core subjects.

Asked if governemnent’s Double track system affected the results in anyway, the educationist said the double track system did not affect the results.

Mr George Akom, however, called on government to help enhance teaching and learning in the Senior High Schools.

Meanwhile, the Director of Communications for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Agnes Teye Cudjoe, says the examination body will ensure that “results of  innocent students whose results are part of those that have been withheld are released after investigations”.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

“We’ll make sure innocent students do not suffer” – WAEC on withheld results

Daniel Opare
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“We’ll make sure innocent students do not suffer” – WAEC on withheld results

Director of Communications for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Agnes Teye Cudjoe, says the examination body will ensure that “results of  innocent students whose results are part of those that have been withheld are released after investigations”.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)  released the provisional results of candidates, who sat for the WASSCE in Ghana yesterday 8th December 2021.

A statement from WAEC stated that the entire results of 3,667 candidates had been withheld pending the conclusion of investigations into various cases of examination malpractice detected during and after the conduct of the examination.

The scripts of candidates from 194 schools in certain subjects have also been withheld and are being scrutinised.

The withheld results of candidates may be cancelled or released based on the outcome of the investigations.

Read Also: 2021 WASSCE provisional results out; results of 194 schools withheld

Speaking in an interview with host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive, Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, Director of Communications for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Agnes Tyei Cudjoe, said the Council does not just cancel results without in-depth investigations.

According to Agnes Tyei Cudjoe, the council will investigate the issue and ensure that innocent students do not suffer.

She added that the withheld results of candidates may be cancelled or released based on the outcome of the investigations.

“ We always give the benefit of the doubt, we do not just go about and cancel the papers of students, No!. We will conduct our investigations and ensure that innocent people will not suffer for malpractices that they know nothing about,”  Agnes Teye Cudjoe told Kaakyire Ofori Ayim.

The Council is also cautioning all stakeholders especially candidates to be on the alert and not fall prey to the activities of scammers who promise to upgrade results for a fee.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Ex-military man shoots 2 children over rent issues with their father

Daniel Opare
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Ex-military man shoots 2 children over rent issues with their father

Two children, aged six and eight years old, have been hospitalised after being shot by their father’s landlord.

The 80-year-old ex-military is reported to have opened fire following disagreements with the children’s father over rent.

Before the shooting, the victim, Collins Kusi, claimed the suspect smashed his left ear with a hammer.

Narrating the incident to Luv FM’s Nana Yaw Gyimah, the distraught father said he successfully dodged the bullets although he was the target.

However, his two children were hit in the process.

“I heard a knock on my door; I came out to find the old man tying a red cloth around my windows. I asked him why and in a loud voice, he asked me whether he hadn’t issued death threats at me before.

“He had a hammer in his hand which I didn’t see; he then hit me with it. I quickly struggled with him for it. After taking the hammer from him, he went into his room and brought a single barrel gun.

“He shot in my direction twice, but it missed me, again, I struggled with him for the gun. Later, I heard people drawing my attention to the children who were down bleeding at that point,” he recounted.

According to Mr Kusi, the suspect started issuing the threats in 2019 after the demise of his original landlord.

He claimed the retired soldier demanded allowance from him despite being directed to pay the money to another relative.

Myjoyonline.com

Police go after V8 drivers

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Police go after V8 drivers

The Ghana Police Administration has cautioned all drivers, especially V8 Drivers to stop flouting road traffic regulation or face the full rigours of the law if arrested.

The caution comes after seven drivers including Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency, Dr. Stephen Amoah were arrested for flouting traffic rules, including abusing siren in traffic.

The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency, Dr. Stephen Amoah and others were on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 arrested by the Ghana Police Administration for flouting traffic rules at the Airport by-pass.

This was when the police carried out an operation to check and arrest drivers who were not complying with the road traffic regulations.

During the operation, seven drivers were arrested for the offences of careless driving, dangerous driving and causing road obstruction among others.

Read Also: Nhyiaeso MP, other V8 drivers arrested for abusing siren in traffic

The Police Administration, therefore, directed all Police formations throughout the country to clamp down on recalcitrant drivers especially those who drive V8 vehicles.

It also cautioned the V8 drivers to stop flouting Road Traffic Regulations or face the full rigour of the law if arrested.

“We are determined to enforce the laws of the country and therefore urge the public to support us in this endeavour,” the police added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

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