11 Headteachers interdicted for charging unauthorized fees

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has shown its decisiveness by suspending eleven senior high school (SHS) heads in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono regions administratively.

This is in response to certain products that were unlawfully sold to first-year students during the admissions process.

Separate statements from the Regional GES offices announced the beginning of comprehensive investigations into the actions of these headteachers.

List of the affected heads and school below:

1. Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa – Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS
2. Mr. Nataniel Asamoah – Headmaster of Asanteman SHS
3. Mr. Andrews Boateng – Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School
4. Mr. Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah – Headmaster of Manso-Edubia SHS
5. Mr. Daniel Boamah Duku – Headmaster of the Agric Nzema Community SHS
6. Ms. Gladys Sarfowah – Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School
7. Mr. Ampong Ahmed Omar – Headmaster of Collins SHS
8. Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen – Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School
9. Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu – Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School
10. Mrs. Nadia Lartechoe Annan – Headmistress of O’Reilly Senior High School
11. Mrs. Patience Naki Mensah – Headmistress Ghana Senior High School

The Ghana Education Service (GES) had previously issued a warning to senior high school heads cautioning them against charging fees that are not authorized.

It said that this kind of behavior is not acceptable and is forbidden.

This development is in line with a trend of similar prohibitions against the sale of goods to students without authorization in the Eastern Region and Greater Accra. Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen and Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu were instructed to step aside for selling unapproved items, such as “Borla fees,” “motivation fees,” “lunch bag” charges, and GHC45 for hymn books, SRC fees, brown khaki, and other items, respectively.

In certain instances, O’Reilly SHS headmistress Nadia Lartechoe Annan has been told to step down while an inquiry into the unapproved collection of funds during the admissions process is underway. The behavior was described as a breach of the school’s code of conduct in the GES letter, which was sent on December 6, 2023. The letter directed her to turn over all school property to Ledzokuku, the Municipal Director of Education, who will be in charge of the institution while she is away.

In a similar vein, patience Ghana Senior High School’s headmistress, Naki Mensah, has been asked to resign effective December 7, 2023. This is in response to claims that Form One students attending the school were sold ceremonial cloth, tracksuits, and other items without authorization.

The GES letter, dated December 7th, 2023, instructed her to step aside while additional investigation into the purported sale of items is conducted.

Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of Public Relations at the Ghana Education Service, told journalists in Accra that administrators of schools who violate these policies will face severe disciplinary actions.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com