300 cocoa farmers receive certification premium bonuses

About 300 cocoa farmers from the Ahafo Ano North and South districts of the Ashanti Region have received GH₵322,560 as certification premium bonuses for 1,400 metric tonnes of exportable certified beans sold to Noble Resources.

The farmers, being part of the Ahafo Ano North and South UTZ Cocoa Farmers Association (AHANSUCOFA), were said to have undergone various UTZ trainings through Solidaridad, a non-governmental organisation that has been collaborating with stakeholders in the cocoa industry to implement cocoa sustainable programmnes. 

Mr. Isaac Gyamfi, Managing Director, Solidaridad West Africa, in an interview at Mankranso, clarified that ‘cocoa certification is not a panacea for solving every problem in cocoa cultivation’.

“Certification is seen as one of the tools that can help farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices, because the standards define certain sets of norms and conducts that farmers need to adopt. And certification is just one,” he explained.

He however pointed out global companies which buy cocoa have opted for certification and made public declarations in statements that they will only source sustainably certified cocoa.

Each of the farmers received a cash premium of GH₵3.00 per bag, a certificate and Wellington boots as part of the reward for their hard work and commitment to adapting to sustainable cocoa production practices. Members of AHANSUCOFA in each project community were also given one motorised mist-blower.

Noble Resources which bought the 1,400 metric tonnes of beans through Federated Commodities, a licenced cocoa buying company, is said to have funded training of the farmers on cocoa certification as a tool to promote sustainability and improved livelihoods for farmers.

“Solidaridad West Africa initiated AHANSUCOFA in 2009 as a pilot project of its Cocoa Improvement Programme with support from the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative looking at how a farmer association can be a certificate-holder of the UTZ Certification code of conduct.”

The project is said to have started with about 300 farmers in 10 communities in Ahafo Ano North and South. Presently, AHANSUCOFA is said to have a total membership of 5,002 in 155 communities of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions.

Cocoa production has been observed to be improving significantly over the last three years, as a result of rigorous training of farmers in good agricultural practices. Solidaridad, noted to be in the forefront of cocoa certification globally and particularly in West Africa, is said be engaged in developing new initiatives that provide additional services to certification for cocoa farmers to sustain the increases currently being recorded in the country’s cocoa production.

Source: B&FT 

http://www.thebftonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4770:300-cocoa-farmers-receive-certification-premium-bonsuses&catid=9:news&Itemid=207 

Bad road network affecting economic activities

The deplorable state of roads leading to communities within the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region is said to be severely affecting economic activities within the district.

The present condition of the roads not only poses a challenge to trading and economic activities for the people in the district, but has also been described as a death-trap for drivers and traders who ply the roads on daily basis.

Traders and farmers, the worst affected, say the ‘unmotorable’ state of the roads has resulted in several losses as a result of the difficulties and challenges they go through to cart food produce and goods to surrounding market centres.This development, according to some of the traders, often leaves them cash-strapped and hopeless -- compelling many of them to question whether the district is indeed part of the country.

On a recent visit to Suhyenso, one of the affected communities in the Amenfi East District, several vehicles carrying food items to surrounding market centres were seen stuck in muddy parts of the road -- leaving many of the traders in fear that their goods may go bad.

Nana ObiriYeboah, chief of Suhyenso, described the increasing post-harvest losses being recorded by farmers in the community as a great concern. He noted that farmers in the Suhyenso Township and surrounding villages go through a lot of difficulties to attend to their food crops during the course of the farming season, only to be confronted with the challenge of how to cart the harvested food items to market considering the state of their roads.

He said in most cases, due to the absence of vehicles to convey the food items to the markets and silos to store them, the food produce either has to be sold at cheap prices or left go bad in anticipation that a vehicle might come for them.

He therefore appealed to authorities in the Wassa Amenfi East District to help address the situation that has rendered poor many people in the Suhyenso community.

In a related development, residents of Bowia -- also a farming community in the Amenfi East District -- are appealing to authorities in the district for aid as they risk losing their source of livelihood.

Opanyin Yaw Nsowa, the chief farmer and a resident of the Bowia community, says they are always cut off from other communities whenever it rains heavily. This, he said, unfortunately often leads to post-harvest losses due to the inability of farmers and traders to get access to the marketing centres.

Source: B&FT

http://www.thebftonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4768:bad-road-network-affecting-economic-activities&catid=9:news&Itemid=207

Assist to reintegrate ex-convicts into society...Prison officials

The 2nd in Command at the Tarkwa Prisons, ASP Stephen Nti, has appealed to the general public to accept and assist to reintegrate ex-convicts into society.

He observed that the current situation, wherein some family members and the public stigmatize and avoid prisoners after serving jail terms, is not the best - as such attitudes affect their reformation and reintegration into society.

ASP Nti made this appeal when members of Mount Zion Methodist Men’s Fellowship, Tamso interacted and donated items to the inmates. ASP Nti emphasized that prison is meant to reform, and not to harden inmates.

He however also expressed concern over the current overcrowding and dilapidated nature of the prison and called on the government to help address the problem.

He explained that the Tarkwa Prison which was built to accommodate 260 inmates now has exceeded its ideal average capacity by 84, stating that the current number of prisoners is 344.

Out of this latest inmates’ population, 113 are said to be remand prisoners.

Presenting the items, Chairman of Mount Zion Methodist Men’s Fellowship Tamso, Mr. Matthew Cudjoe emphasized the importance for society to accept back ex-convicts and end their isolation and stigmatization.

He said ex-convicts deserve sympathy, encouragement and support to prevent a return to their bad ways.

Mr. Cudjoe said the situation wherein even close family members refuse to have anything do with them, erecting barriers to turn them into virtual outcasts is certainly unhelpful to their reformation and reintegration into society.

He urged Christians to do more to bring hope to prisoners and assist them to give up on crime and other evils and also called on the prisoners to keep faith with God. The Fellowship presented soaps, toilet roll n benches worth GH₵ 700 to the inmates.

Father boils step-son's hand over food

A 35 year old farmer, Kwame Poku, a resident of Insu-siding, a community in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region is in the grips of Prestea Huni-Valley District Police for allegedly molesting his 10 year old step son.

Kwame Poku who was picked by the Police last Saturday morning is being interrogated for allegedly dipping his step son’s hand into hot water while it on fire. The incident which happened on last Friday has resulted in burns and swollen of the right hand of the 10 year old boy.

The District Police Command confirmed in an interview with newsroom-gh that the accused, Kwame Poku, has indeed been apprehended, and would would be made to face the law. The boy told newsroom-gh that, he was hungry so he used spoon to take out a sliced yam which was on fire to reduce his hunger. He said, after taking the sliced yam step father came around and saw him with eating the yam.

Kwame Poku called him a thief and asked him to use the same way he used, to take another sliced of yam. The 10 year old boy said his stepfather dipped his hand forcibly into the cooking food while on fire when he (boy) refused to succumb to his request.

The Police told NEWSROOM-GH that, investigations have started already and hope to complete very soon for the law to take its cause.

Business activities decline as Supreme Court announce verdict

The usual briskness associated with selling and buying activities, amidst the regular vehicular and human traffic in the central business district of the Kumasi Metropolis, was missing on Thursday as the Supreme Court prepared to deliver its verdict on the 2012 election petition.

Most of the traders, for various reasons failed to turn up at the few markets stands setup in and around the popular Kejetia bus terminal compelling the few who had showed up to conduct their usual business to cash in on the handful of people who were around to trade.  

While many of the traders were lamenting on the absence of their colleagues, for fear of the outcome of the election petition, others were happy because they had monopoly to sell more to the number of people who were in the market to trade. However, they were hopeful that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court while strengthening the country’s democratic credentials, would also inform investors of the peaceful atmosphere that exist in the country for the growth of business.

Although the trading public seemed to have been the worst affected with the general decline of trading activities, commercial vehicle operators were also badly affected as very few people were in town to engage their services.

27 fire outbreaks recorded in Prestea Huni-Valley District in the first half 2013.

The Prestea Huni-Valley District branch of the Ghana National Fire Service is embarking on a door to door education on fire outbreak prevention in a bid to put a stop to the unending fire outbreaks in the country.

The public education, the Service believes is a prerequisite for prevention of domestic fire outbreaks and other things that may catch fire.

The information was revealed by the Prestea Huni-Valley District Fire Divisional Officer Grade 2, Joseph Koranteng in an interview with NEWSROOM-GH today.

D.O. Koranteng said his outfit cannot sit down to experience the number of outbreaks befalling the district for the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of the year.

Mr. Joseph Koranteng said this at the back of 27 fire cases the Prestea Huni-Valley District has recorded in the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of this year. The 1^st quarter recorded 16 cases while the 2^nd also 8 cases. Vehicles, Shops, houses among others were the most affected and "this is a problem for us", he said.

He said his outfit is putting in place all the measures to curtail the 'ever-increasing' fire incidents troubling the country lately, adding that they would tackle fire face to face.

'Prestea Huni- Valley District for some years now has not recorded the number of fire cases it has experienced in the first half of this year and therefore wants them reduced if not stopped.' 
As a result of this situation many people are said to have lost their properties and still live with family members.

The Fire Officer said the education will continue unabated to ensure the people in the District understand the motive behind the door to door education. He said that the doors are opened to any institution that wish to call on his outfit for more education on fire outbreak prevention.

He wished all the firefighters  who were involved in an accident while on their way to Samoraiboi when Samatex Company caught fire not long ago a speedy recovery.

A day old baby dumped in a bush at Kojokrom

The day old baby.

A day old baby was yesterday night found to have been dumped in a bush at Kojokrom, a town in the Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis.

The baby who had some life in her was rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital for medical attention.

The baby who laid in the bush uncovered under the cold weather was discovered by a passerby passing with her cries that resulted in her rescue.

The news of the dumped baby has sent shocks through the residents of Kojokrom but have no idea as to who may have executed such inhuman act.

Speaking to the good Samaritan, Micheal Ntsiful this morning, he told NEWSROOM-GH that, he had closed from work heading home along the Kojokrom rail line where the baby was dumped when he heard a cry of a baby.

He said upon hearing, he tip toed to the area and he found the baby girl abandoned in the bush uncovered by an unknown mother.

Mr. Ntsiful therefore called on some people nearby to give a helping hand where the baby was covered with a cloth and sent to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital for medical care.

He told NEWSROOM-GH that, Doctors at the Hospital say the baby is fit.

The case has since been reported to the Police. 

Political tension to blame for low turnout - exhibitors

Exhibitors at this year’s annual arts and craft exhibition/bazaar in Kumasi have attributed the low patronage of their wares to the political tension in the country which many of them believe is the reason for which their foreign patrons have decided to stayed away from this year’s event.

Majority of the about 55 exhibitors who have mounted various stands to display unique kinds of artifacts ranging from hand curved drums, rattan and bamboo furniture, Ghanaian traditional wares among others at the Kumasi Cultural Centre say sales recorded since the start of the exhibition has not been encouraging.

Ironically, the few locals who occasionally troop to the exhibition grounds in the absence of the major patrons hardly make any effort to purchase any of the artifacts or wares on sale thus compounding the plight of the exhibitors.

A female exhibitor in an interview, disclosed that after paying GH₵ 150.00 to the event organizers to get a shelter, and some extra cost incurred to set up her stand, what she has sold so far, being the in the third week, is not even close to all the expenses made.

She lamented that ‘the white people are not coming because they fear,’ and also pointed to low publicity of the event to the local people as also a major factor for the kind of sales they were making.

The annual arts and craft exhibition/bazaar is organized under the auspices of the Centre for National Culture and is said to have been taken place in the country for the past fifteen years. It is said to be among other things aimed at providing a common platform for those in the craft and arts making industry to market their wares to the thousands of foreigners and indigenous Ghanaians who visit the Kumasi Cultural Centre for various reasons annually.

‘It is held usually around June to August,’ known to be a summer holidays for their foreign patrons, Europeans, who trip to the country to engage in all forms of voluntary work. This year’s event was organized under the theme ‘Promoting our culture through arts and craft for a better livelihood.’

Since the inception of the event about a decade and a half ago, it has always enjoyed high patronage, according to an official of the Centre for National Culture  Mr. Kofi Asare Asianowa, who also happens to be the Exhibition Coordinator.

‘Last year we had a lot of visitors coming into the country, largely as a result of the death of the late former president,  even though things did not go as expected, sales realised was encouraging as compared to how things are this year.’

He however attributed the cause of the low patronage of the event to the lack appreciation for things which symbolizes the rich Ghanaian culture.’ He bemoaned ‘the lack understanding, and desire over time for things that holds us together as Ghanaians and that an African.’

Despite this, he also conceded that the political uncertainty in the country at the moment could be one of the core reasons for the absence of the foreigners who yearly visit the country around this period to be part of the event. 

RCBs advised to reconsider staff remuneration

Rural banks in the country have been advised to take a second look at the remuneration of staff which has described to be very low to avoid the growing tendency where commercial banks take advantage to poach experienced personnel from the rural banks.

It was noted that considering the current competitiveness of banking currently among other things the boards and management of rural banks should make effort to introduce incentive packages to motivate their staff to remain more committed particularly after exhausting reasonable share operating expenses to train them.

RCB’s were again reminded of the need to continuously strengthen the competence of their staff to enable them to position themselves to be able to confront the challenges of the modern day banking while also cautioning them to improve upon customer service practices. This was asked to be considered as a strategic measure to make the sector more attractive to potential customers and to maintaining the corporate image as well.

Customers are ‘key’ to the operations of rural banks without whom no bank can survive or continue to stay in business. ‘It is therefore appropriate for banks to endeavor to build a good corporate image to ensure the loyalty of customers and patronage of the products and services from rural banks.’

The advice comes in the wake of increasing reports of poor customer services within the rural banking sector which is said could adversely affect the corporate image of rural banks in the country if no measures are put in place to curtail this unfortunate occurrence.

Some staff of rural banks are observed to consider their position as ‘a right, and not a privilege’ and for this reason turn to operate with some level of highhandedness which does not conform to banking rules and regulations. This behavior is noted to affect customer relations and to a large extent the reputation of such banks.

Mr. Yaw Sarpong, speaking on behalf of Mr. Kwadwo Aye Kusi, Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, at the 28^th Annual General Meeting of shareholders at Juaben, noted to boards and management of RCB’s to institute effective risk management policies to address the risk associated with the current trend of banking.

He highlighted on a number of products and services on offer at the Apex Bank notably the current interest rate which is said to have been reduced from 20% to 15% to equal the BoG policy rate and plans of further reduction.

Shareholders were also encouraged to buy more shares to add up to their shareholdings to provide rural banks with a solid foundation, and put in their maximum to payback their loans on time to strengthen the financial capabilities of their banks.

Scrap dealers want ban on exportation reviewed

Scrap dealers in the Ashanti Region are calling on government to review the ban on the exportation of ferrous scrap metals – as the recent introduction of the law prohibiting the exportation of metals is said to be adversely affecting the scrap business in the Region.

It would be recalled that the Parliament of Ghana on 25^th of March this year, passed a law to ban the exportation of scrap metals aimed to protect the local steel manufacturing industries and prevent its collapse. The passage of the law thus joins Ghana to other nations in the sub-region that have taken steps to come out with legislations to make it an offence to export ferrous metals.

However, Abdalah Alhassan, Chairman of the Inside Scrap dealers at Akwetia Line in Kumasi maintains that, since the coming into force of this law, scores of people in the scrap trade have been forced out of business. He attributed the situation to the inability to recover the huge sums of monies spent on buying the metals and on transport, largely as a result of the unfavorable business conditions of the local steel manufacturing industries.

He lamented that the local buyers take advantage to select the types of metals they need and reject the rest unlike their foreign patrons regardless of the price at which they buy the metals.  This situation, he said, is said crippling the scrap dealers financially and thus depriving them of their only source of livelihood as they are now being compelled to retire from the business.

In addition to this, the chairman also indicated that the recent fuel hikes have also worsen their plight as they are now compelled to pay exorbitant transport fares to cart the metals to the country’s industrial hub where the local market is based.

‘’We are making unreasonable losses day in and out, and unfortunately very little has been heard from government on the situation. Although, we don’t to say the government is insensitive to our plight, we still appeal to them to reconsider this decision,’’ he added.

A visit to some areas where the scrap dealers operate at Akwetia Line close to the Ashanti Regional office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) revealed several numbers of young men who are said to engage in this trade loitering around with less work to do. 

Some of the scrape dealers expressed fears that, some of their colleagues who livelihoods are now at stake might resort to other vices to able to feed themselves.

Golden Star Donates to Muslim Communities.

Acting GM of GSBPL Shadrack Adjetey Sowah(far left)

The Muslim communities in Prestea and Bogoso have taken delivery of items worth, about 3,000 Ghana Cedis for the celebration of their Ramadan festival.

The Donation which was made by the Golden Star Resources Bogoso Prestea Mines, is in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility to communities within its catchment areas.

In the season of Ramadan Muslims across the world put themselves in the spirit of God by fasting for one month and praying for themselves and the nation in which they find themselves.

As this is done worldwide, Ghana as a country is not left out as Muslims across the length and breadth of the nation go before Allah to seek peace and prosperity for Ghana.

It is in view of this, that the G.S.B.P.L found it proper to donate food items that would aid them climax the event.

The food items include, Cartons of milk, cooking oil, perfumed bags of rice and more.

Receiving the items, both the Prestea and Bogoso Imams thanked the company and asked for more as the years go by. The Imams prayed for Gold price to pick up its price again as price of Gold has taken a nose dive for some time now, so that G.S.B.P.L would have more income to cater of its host communities

The Imams pleaded with G.S.B.P.L to take the donation of items to another level where the company would sponsor 2 persons to Mecca next year. 

The items and some staff of GSBP

The acting Managing Director of Golden Star Resources Bogoso Prestea Shadrack Adjetey Sowah stated that, as it is annually done to strengthen the friendship of the company and the Muslim communities, G.S.B.P.L would continue to support them anytime the need be.

He reiterated that, the fall of Gold price on the world market would not hinder the development G.S.B.P.L wants to embark in the catchment areas. Adding that, the sponsorship to Mecca would be considered.

Police arrest 16 suspected criminals

About 16 people suspected to be involved in drugs and other drug related crimes have been rounded up in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region.

The suspects were arrested during an operation in Prestea by the Prestea Huni-Valley District Police as part of operations to flush out criminals in the District.

The operation which started Thursday dawn took place in 6 areas, namely, Himan, Bola-Akyer, Anfagya, Number 4 Bungalows, Tuobodom and Prestea main town.

Confirming the arrest to a local based radio station in Bogoso, BEST FM, the Prestea Huni-

Valley District Police Commander Superintendent Ben Wonkyi said, the communities the operation took place have been seen as hideouts for  criminals.

He said arrest were made upon some investigation by the Police Intelligence team. He observed that his outfit could not have sat down to watch matters get out of hand  before undertaking the operation.

The outspoken District Commander maintained, that the exercise was part of the core functions the Police Service, to prevent crime in communities.

Superintendant Wonkyi disclosed that, about six 'ghettos', hideout, belonging to the suspected criminals have been burnt down to ashes adding that it would take a long time for the criminals to go back and rebuild the structures

The Police Commander made it clear, the operation would not be a nine day wonder but would be carried out periodically to flush out criminals.

He said, those arrested are suspected to be involved in criminal activities in the Prestea Huni- Valley District which has left many residents and commuters to leave in fear.

Considering how Indian hemp, cocaine and other illegal substances are scattered all over the Prestea Township, we found it prudent to embark on this operation to get those suspected to be involved arrested, he said.

Superintendent Wonkyi also revealed his outfit would 'descend' on those who operate computer or TV games, which to prevent children from going to school during normal school hours. He could not hide his anger at how those games exposed to children have brought truants in the District. He gave out warning that no one would be left out when the operations starts. 

Meanwhile, the 16 persons arrested are said to be screened soon. Several items were retrieved from those arrested during the swoop including some herbs suspected to be indian hemp.

Superintendant Ben Wonkyi finally issued warning to anyone habouring criminals or using an apartment to aid them execute the nefarious act to put a stop to that else if found would be made to face the full rigours of the law..

 

'Western Region needs Ashiaman' - Kwesi Biney

A Former District Chief Executive for Ahanta West Kwesi Biney, is urging people of the Western Region to take a cue from the recently held demonstration at Ashaiman in Accra and make a case for their share of the national cake.

He maintains that 'a massive uproar' against the government could open the gates for development in the region.

The statement comes weeks after residents of Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region took to the street to demonstrate against the deplorable state of road network within the Ashiaman township.

The aggrieved residents questioned why they had leaders in the community, vote and yet their concerns of the community were not being met. The demonstration which involved the burning of tires and road blocks led to the arrest of the some residents. Interestingly however, immediately after the demonstration authorities started repair works on the said roads .

The former District Chief Executive, Kwesi Biney, in an exclusive interview lamented on the bad state of roads within the Region, asking why the region continues to bask in the old adage that "the best comes from the west", but yet worse-off in terms of development. 

“Let your pregnant wife travel by road from Tarkwa to Bogoso and by the time she returns, she might have had a miscarriage," he stated.

He noted that with the onset of rain, several roads in the Region will continue to deteriorate while resources in would still continued to be hauled for export, a situation he described as an unfair.

 "Can you imagine how the road networks in the regional capital, Sekondi-Takoradi have become unmotorable, hence no comfort to drive in the city" he said.

Mr. Biney added that the number of ministers of state in the Western Region must not be just representatives in Parliament, rather there should have a clear-cut commitment for development from the central government.

Expose pregnant B.E.C.E candidates

The Prestea Huni- Valley District Coordinator in charge of Girl Child Education, Mrs. Pearl Arkoh Alibanwe, has urged the media to continue exposing JHS students who get impregnated before sitting for their Basic Education Certificate  Examination.  

Mrs. Alibanwe believes the continuous reportage by the media on such cases will effect changes in the girls and help to curb this disturbing situation.

Ghana for some years now has been recording increasing numbers of pregnancy among the female candidates during B.E.C.E exams - whiles efforts taken by authorities to curb the situation has not been enough. It is in view of this that this advice has been given as part of the remedies to fight this situation.

This year’s B.E.C.E was no exception as reports all over the country revealed that several female candidates, with some under eighteen (18) years were reported to be pregnant and some others being nursing mothers.

Speaking to a Bogoso based radio station, Mrs. Alibanwe said, it seems the persistent advise her outfit and other colleagues have been given the girls in her district fall on deaf ears.

“I personally led a crusade throughout some Senior and Junior High Schools to advise the girls in particular as to what early pregnancy could bring them and how the society will see them, but it seems they never paid heed to me”, she said.

The Girl Child Education Coordinator said upon all her crusade which she was very optimistic that the Prestea Huni-Valley District in the Western Region, which is under her care, will not record any pregnancy case, the District recorded nine (9) pregnancy cases among this year's B.E.C.E. candidates.

When asked whether or not such media reports will not affect the morale of such candidates, Mrs. Alibanwe said it may, but to a large extent inform the larger society to desist from engaging in premarital sex which may lead to pregnancy before writing their B.E.C.E exams.

“Everything which is not good in a society should be exposed, so that parents would also know how to talk to their wards to refrain from premarital sex.” She added that there is time for everything, but getting pregnant between the ages of 14 and 17 is premature and may bring about many complications that come along with pregnancy at that level.

Commenting on the cause of these early pregnancies, Mrs. Alibanwe made it clear that, technology has over the years been the major contributing factor. She explained that the advent of technology has made pornographic materials now easily accessible to teenagers influencing them to indulge in premarital sex. 

She said, though the various religious bodies, traditional authorities and other stakeholders are doing their best to curb the situation, the question that should be asked is whether the unmarried youth in general are ready to listen to this advice.

She said the media is a strong force that can help in effecting changes in our society, and urged it to continue exposing the on-ending pregnancy cases among B.E.C.E candidates in the country.

Parents were also advised to accept the unfortunate situation where their female children get impregnated and take care of them till they deliver after which they can go back to school.

Teachers,2, arrested over examination malpractice

Two teachers in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region have been arrested and arraigned before the Prestea Magistrate Court Monday 24th June, 2013 for their alleged involvement in examination malpractice.

The two (2) teachers, Francis Mensah 35, a teacher at Prestea Catholic Junior High School and Frank Ayensu Amezugbe 26, a teacher at Tarkwa Breman Junior High School were arrested for indulging in examination malpractices during the nationwide  Basic Examination Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E) which ends today.

Confirming the arrest to a radio station in Bogoso, the Prestea Huni- Valley District Police Commander,Superintendent Ben Wonkyi said, at about 11:45 am on Wednesday 19^th June, 2013 when the pupils were writing the Mathematics paper, Mr. Francis Mensah went to the Prestea Goldfields School Examination Centre where his pupils were writing their exams, and pretended to be checking on  on his pupils. 

On sensing that no official was looking in his direction, he was alleged to have thrown a folded paper with prepared mathematics answers from 1 to 40 objective questions into one of the rooms where his pupils were located ostensibly for the answers to aid them in writing their examination.

Unfortunately for him Superintendent Wonkyi said, the external invigilator from West African Examinations Council, Solomon Kwakofie, who was present suspected him and with the help of the security peronnel at the Centre arrested him.

On that same day, Superintendent Ben Wonkyi said, Mr. Solomon Kwakofie again caused the arrest of Frank Ayensu Amesugbe of Tarkwa Bremen Junior High School at St. Augustin Senior School Examination Centre. Mr Amesugbe was in possession in of a mobile phone with prepared answers for the Basic Designs and Technology which the pupils were writing at that time.

The prepared answers were said to be from 1 to 30 objective questions which he claimed he received as a text from a friend by name Badu.

The two were on 19^th June, 2013 detained by the Police and released on the June 20, 2013 and are appearing before the Prestea Magistrate Court today.

Supt. Wonkyi said investigations are underway to locate and find out from the said Mr. Badu, if he indeed sent the text.

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E) is a requirement needed to enter a Senior High School. The pupils are examined to know whether they are ready to go to the higher level, therefore anything to mare or undermine the exercise should not be taken lightly by the West African Examination Council.