WAEC TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION IN EXAM PAPER LEAKAGE

The West African Examinations Council says it will take prompt action against persons involved in the leaking of exam papers in this year's WASSCE.

The Head of WAEC, Rev. Samuel Nii Nmai Ollenu says he is confident those involved will b

e dealt with the save the integrity of the Council.

A number of exam papers in this year's West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE),  leaked hours before they were due to be taken. The leaked examination papers include Physics practical, Social Studies, Integrated Science, and Oral English.

Last year, some Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WASSCE papers leaked and were widely shared on social media platforms – Facebook and whatsapp.

Five BECE papers including English Language 2, Religious and Moral Education 2, Science 2, Mathematics 2 and Social Studies 2 leaked and were, therefore, cancelled.

The cancelled papers had to be retaken later. Parents were unhappy about the situation and blamed the leakage on WAEC.

WAEC says it should not be blamed entirely for the perennial leaking of exam papers. Last year it blamed parents for the problem.

The exams governing body has assured students that papers already written this year will not be cancelled.

It indicated in a statement, Wednesday that some of the leaked papers were found to be fake. WAEC however, authenticated some of the leaked papers and said they were leaked after the papers were released to the examination centers.

The Council says it is working with the security services to get to the bottom of this latest case.

According to the Head of WAE, Rev Nii Nmai Ollenu, two of its staff have been dismissed and one has been demoted for breaching internal security in last year’s massive leakage.

“Those who were dismissed were handed over to the BNI and we expect the BNI to also do their part,” Rev. Ollenu stated.

Rev. Nii Nmai Ollenu says WAEC cannot prosecute persons involved in the leakage of papers itself.

He urged the security agencies to prosecute people involved in the leakages to serve as a deterrent to others who plan to engage in such nefarious activities that have the tendency to tarnish the image the country's education system.

SUDANESE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN IN 2020

 Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has told the BBC he will step down in 2020, when his current mandate ends.

Mr Bashir also denied allegations of abuses perpetrated by the Sudanese forces in renewed violence against black African villages who took up arms in the country's western Darfur region.

The president has been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on counts of

genocide and war crimes.

Mr Bashir has been in power since 1989. He won elections in April last year.

He told the BBC's Thomas Fessy that his job was "exhausting" and his current term would be his last.

"In 2020, there will be a new president and I will be an ex-president," he said.

However, sceptics will say that he had already pledged to step down in the past and later went back on his word, our correspondent says.

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VICE PRESIDENT ASSURES GHANAIANS LIVING ABROAD A PEACEFUL ELECTION

Vice President Kwesi Amissah -Arthur, has asked Ghanaians living abroad not to be worried about what he describes as Political rhetoric that seem to create tension as elections get close.

Vice President Amissah -Arthur, made the remarks when he addressed the Ghanaian community in Benin, to round off a day’s visit after leading Ghana’s delegation to the swearing-in of President-elect Patrice Talon of Benin.

He said President Mahama has done very well in the area of development and democracy and he knows his good works would speak .Adding that he’s a modest man, so the need add another term to his mandate for the NDC.

The Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur described President Mahama as a hardworking man who is modest and has the people of Ghana at heart.

He said in election year, a lot of the political argumentation and debates heightens a bit but can assure them t that Ghana will have a peaceful and successful elections and Ghana will continue to be the beacon of democracy in Africa.”

Vice President said they were in Benin because of democracy and love for its West African neighbors. Adding that Benin needs to be congratulated especially the 33 candidates who contested the elections and made sure it was very peaceful.

On the Elections to be held on November 7, Vice President Amissah –Arthur asked Ghanaians domiciled in Benin not to pay heed to political rhetoric’s and concocted stories that will be flying around  because Ghana is on course.

He said his government is committed to ensuring that Ghana remains peaceful before and after the elections so that they continue to develop the country.

The Ambassador to Benin Mr Edzi Kosivi Debgor, ,was the one who set the tone for the meeting .

Members of the Ghana community were given the opportunity to express some of their sentiments to the Vice President.

 Vice President Kwesi Amissah - Arthur was accompanied by Alhaji Baaba Kamara, National Security Adviser, Minister for Transport Hon Fifii Kwetey and the General Secretary of the NDC Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

PRESIDENT MAHAMA CAUTIONS GHANAIANS AGAINST VIOLENCE

Ghanaians have been asked to reject any group or individual who uses different forms of influences to suggest violence. President John Mahama, made the call when he joined the Muslim community in a night vigil in Kumasi to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. The President assured Ghanaians that the Security agencies are up to the task to ensure citizen protection and peace. The night vigil known as Maulid, was attended by the Spiritual head of the Tijaniyya Mission in Africa Ahmed Tijani Ali Cisse, Chief Imam Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu and the NPP running mate Dr Mahummadu Bawumia. The Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed is marked annually with a night vigil to pray for his mercies.  President Mahama, said Islam stands for peace  and that virtue should not be lost on Ghanaians. He said it is that peace and peaceful co existence that has earned Ghana the enviable reputation of a beacon of peace in Africa. The President asked all to reject people who incite violence through their utterances in a bid to create confusion, particularly in this election year               President Mahama, noted that Ghana continues to attract investors due to the favourable peaceful environment. He said Ghanaians should be proud of this feat. President Mahama, also encouraged people who turned eighteen to remember to register to vote during the limited voter registration exercise to open this month.               The spiritual heads led various prayers for the peace and security of the nation.

PRACTICE A HIGH LEVEL OF PERSONAL HYGIENE

 First Lady Lordina Mahama has urged Ghanaians to practice a high level of personal hygiene and keep their surroundings clean as the wet season approaches. 

She believes that as Government works to address the drainage systems in the country, the citizenry must also do their part to minimize the negative effect whenever it rains. “We all have a role to play as citizens, towards the realization of this objective” she stated.

The First lady noted that this year there is a prediction that the rains will be heavy, and there is likelihood of flooding. “To prevent outbreak of disease as a result of flooding  we must clear of  the filth from our gutters and drains” she said.  

“The lives of all Ghanaians matter, and we do not want to lose even a single life, during this year’s rainy season” she added.

The first lady made the call when she interacted with the people of Drobo and Sampa in the Brong Ahafo region. Being so much concerned about the health of the citizenry  the First lady donated medical supplies and equipment to the Sampa and drobo hospitals . The  donation forms part of the foundations  nationwide medical mission   which is aimed at raising the health status and well-being of communities, especially in relation to women and children. 

At separate events, the hospitals received mosquito nets, waste disposals, cannulas, bed, bouffant cap, catheters, shelves machine, bed side tables, endoscope machine among others.

Presenting the items, she said the items were made to supplement the effort of government, to realise its vision of quality and accessible healthcare for all.

 "The government through its massive health infrastructure programme is bringing healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the people," she said.  Dr Lordina Mahama called on all stakeholders, opinion leaders and organizations to invest in the health and education of all our citizens. This way, we will have a healthy population contributing to the development of our dear country.

Mrs. Mahama said her foundation would work hard to seek help to promote women and children's healthcare.  The Foundation with support from Medshare USA has presented  has so far donated to over forty-eight hospitals in 8 regions of Ghana.

The District Chief Executive, Madam Dora Ama Tamea commended the First Lady for the kind gesture, adding that the donation would go a long way to assist the hospitals in providing healthcare for the people.

She said the Assembly has also embarked upon the construction of CHPs compounds with ancillary facilities.

She said the projects would help achieve the primary objective of improving the living and health conditions of the indigenes.

Madam Tamea appealed to the First Lady to help construct a kitchen and a dining hall for Our Lady of Providence Senior High School, which is the only girl school in the district.

"The current kitchen which is a shed is in a very deplorable state so please come to our aid," she said.