SHS headteachers interdicted over unauthorized monies collection

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken decisive action by interdicting 11 headteachers in Senior High Schools SHS) across the country for allegedly collecting unauthorized monies from students.

This move comes as part of the GES’s commitment to ensuring transparency and ethical standards in the management of school finances.

As per the GES code of ethics, the collection of unauthorized fees or charges is considered a breach of the established guidelines, and appropriate actions will be taken to address such infractions.

The purpose of this action is to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations and to ensure transparency and adherence to the established guidelines for the sale of items within the school.

Seven of the affected headteachers are from the Ashanti Region, two from the Bono Region, one from the Greater Accra Region, and one from the Eastern Region.

The interdictions were communicated through separate letters signed by Regional Education Directors and addressed to the suspended headteachers.

The headteachers facing interdiction include Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa (Kumasi Girls SHS), Mr. Nathaniel Asamoah (Asanteman SHS), Mr. Andrews Boateng (Kumasi Senior High Technical School), Mr. Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah (Manso-Edubia SHS), Mr. Daniel Boamah Duku (Agric Nzema Community SHS), Ms. Gladys Sarfowah (Nkawie Senior High Technical School), Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu (Odomaseman SHS), and Mr. Ampong Ahmed Omar (Collins SHS).

The unauthorized monies collected by these headteachers include payments for sewn anniversary cloth, house dues, sale of books, calculators, hymn books, Borla fees, motivation fees, lunch bag charges, and sale of anniversary cloth, among others.

Ghana Senior High School (SHS) in Koforidua

Madam Patience Naki Mensah, the Headmistress of Ghana Senior High School (SHS) in Koforidua, has been directed to step aside over allegations of selling unauthorized items in the school.

The directive follows reports of the sale of items, including ceremonial cloth and tracksuits, to Form One students without proper authorization.

Mrs. Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, the Eastern Regional GES Director, stated that the management of the GES has become aware of the unauthorized sale of items to Form One students reporting to the school.

The listed items included Ceremonial Cloth priced at GH₵200, Track Suits at GH₵250, and other unspecified items.

As a result of these allegations, Madam Patience Naki Mensah has been asked to step aside with immediate effect from December 7, 2023.

O’Reilly SHS 

Ms. Nadia Lartechoe Annan, the Headmistress of O’Reilly Senior High School (SHS) in Accra, was also interdicted for the collection of unauthorized monies.

The GES has directed her to step aside from her office during the investigation into the matter, as the act is deemed a violation of the code of ethics of the Service.

The interdiction was announced in a press release from the GES, signed by Mr. Stephen Abamfo, the Greater Accra Regional GES Director.

The statement emphasized that the directive was necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation into the allegations of collecting unauthorized monies as part of the admission process for fresh students.

During the interdiction period, Ms. Annan was required to hand over all school property to the Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Education, who will assume oversight responsibility for the school in the interim.

Berekum SHS

Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen, Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School, was also directed to step aside for the purpose of investigation, effective December, following allegations of collecting unapproved fees.

The unapproved fees, as outlined in the letter, include an entrance fee of GH₵40, Parent, Teacher Association (PTA) fee of GH₵300, Petro fee of GH₵20, Borla fee of GH₵20, Motivation fee of GH₵50, Lunch bag fee of GH₵50, School Jacket fee of GH₵200, House dues of GH₵50, Registration fee of GH₵80, and SRC dues of GH₵50.

During the interdiction period, Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen is required to hand over his responsibilities to the Berekum Municipal Director of Education.

Odomaseman SHS

Mr Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu, the Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School in the Bono Region, who has also been accused of imposing unauthorized fees on students has been asked to step aside.

The allegations include charging an enrollment fee of GH₵25, SRC fee of GH₵200, calculator/maths set/graph fee of GH₵180, hymn book fee of GH₵45, brown khaki fee of GH₵70, three white shirts for male students at a fee of GH₵150, house dues of GH₵150, house jersey fee of GH₵40, socks fee of GH₵16, file fee of GH₵5, checkered dress for ladies at a fee of GH₵80, and embossment of items fee of GH₵25.

Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School       

The Headmistress of Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School, Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa, is facing accusations of imposing compulsory fees on students.

The alleged unauthorized fees include the compulsory sale of a sewn anniversary cloth at GH₵280, House Dues of GH₵20, Maintenance Fee of GH₵20, a Book fee of GH₵25, a calculator fee of GH₵120, and the sale of anniversary cloth at GH₵60 per yard.

Asanteman SHS

Mr. Nathaniel Asamoah, the Headmaster of Asanteman Senior High School (SHS), is alleged to be collecting unauthorized monies by selling result-checking cards for GH₵30, charging an admission fee of GH₵40, and imposing a printing fee of GH₵30.

Kumasi Senior High Technical School

Headmaster for Kumasi Senior High Technical School, Mr. Andrews Boateng is accused of engaging in the sale of files and hymnals to students, charging a fee of GH₵75.

Additionally, he is accused of imposing a protocol admission charge at the school’s ICT Laboratory, amounting to GH₵2,000.

Manso-Edubia SHS in the Amansie South District

Manso-Edubia Senior High School (SHS) Headmaster, Mr. Kwadwo Obeng Appiah, has been asked to step aside because he was accused of collecting fees from students and parents for ICT pictures without printed copies.
The fees allegedly collected include GH₵40 for ICT pictures, GH₵300 for admission, GH₵400 for payment at the registration point, GH₵200 for protocol payment, GH₵400 for PTA dues, and GH₵300 for the sale of school uniforms.

Agric Nzema Community SHS

The Headmaster of Agric Nzema Community Senior High School (SHS), Mr. Daniel Boamah Duku, is alleged to have collected GH₵500 for the sale of a 3-in-1 bed, GH₵80 for sports vests, GH₵80 for checkered dresses, and additional charges/payment for manual admission.

Nkawie Senior High Technical School

The Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School, Ms. Gladys Sarfowah, is alleged to have collected fees such as GH₵20 for the sale of an exeat book, GH₵40 for SRC dues, GH₵80 for the compulsory purchase of four crests at GH₵20 each, GH₵20 for the sale of a hymn book, GH₵100 for the sale of a school vest, GH₵130 for the sale of a tracksuit, and an additional payment of GH₵300 to finalize the admission process.

Collins SHS

The Headmaster of Collins Senior High School in the Asante Akim North Municipality, Mr. Ampong Omar, is accused of collecting GH₵200 for the issuance of National Health Insurance Cards as part of the admission process at Collins SHS.

All the interdiction letters for affected headtecters in the Ashanti Region were signed by Dr William Kwame Amankwa Appiah, GES Regional Director and were effective December 8.

The interdiction of headteachers serve as a preliminary measure, allowing for a thorough investigation into the allegations against the headmistress.

This action underscores a commitment to transparency and accountability within the educational institution.