In the latest string of seeming autocratic move, the traditional chief of Akyem-Abuakwa, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has ordered the immediate closure of Bright Senior High Secondary school.
In a statement signed by the Akyem Abuakwa State’s secretary, D.M Ofori- Atta and copied to the Ghana Education Service and the Education Ministry, the Council said, its demands are being backed by the chief, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin”
The request, according to the council has been “provoked by the incident of examination fraud of grave significance in direct relation to the assault of Mr. Gyan Mensah and Damolie Emmanuel Pacome, an official of the West African Examination Council and a reporter or the Daily Graphic respectively in their lawful duties to insist on a fair conduct of WASSCE examination.”
In the statement, the Abuakwa Traditional Council accused the Headmaster of the school, Bright Amponsah for directly instigating the assault and rampage by the students.
“The assault was instigated and ordered under the misdirection of Bright Amponsah, the proprietor of the rogue Bright Senior High School which for over a decade has been engaged in ultra-commercial and profiteering aims which run against the established interest of the educational policy and integrity of public examination. The above is not an isolated incident; it confirms several reports of corrupt and exploitative motive of Bright Senior High School,” the statement read.
The statement also alleged bribery by the school: “Of more importance to this matter and of illustrative and evidential significance is his bribery of certain officers of the West African Examination Council over the past decade. Bright SHS, in terms of admission process and curriculum is in violation of all the protocols and regulatory measures put in place by the Ghana Education Service.”
The statement alleged that about 90% of graduates of the Bright SHS drop out of public universities in their first-year due to their lack of ability to meet the intellectual and academic demands of tertiary institutions.”
The Okyenhene has come under criticism for reportedly scheming to “needlessly” take over the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs (ERHC) under the guise of improving administration.
In a letter dated 5th August 2020 and addressed to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi the New Juaben traditional chief, Daasebre Professor (Emeritus) Oti Boateng told of how the Okyenhene, whose Presidency of the ERHC is about to end, is seeking to have sixteen sub-chiefs from his area admitted into the traditional council.
Daasebre Prof. (Emeritus) Oti Boateng warns that the gamesmanship of the Okyenhene is a dangerous one.