Ghana Education Ministry: Orders Halt to CSSPS Payment Demands in Ashanti

• Parents in Ghana's Ashanti Region have reported demands for up to GH¢300 to fast-track Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) assistance.
• Unidentified individuals at a Kumasi resolution centre allegedly requested these payments to bypass queues and expedite placement concerns.
• The Ministry of Education has directed Ghana Education Service (GES) officials in the Ashanti Region to immediately stop these alleged payment demands.
• Ministry spokesperson Hashmin Mohammed clarified that no payments are required for CSSPS placement services.
• Regional officials have been tasked with implementing measures to prevent parents from being exploited while seeking placement assistance.

Ensuring that all citizens can access essential public services without facing financial coercion is paramount for maintaining public confidence in government institutions and for the successful implementation of national educational initiatives, including the widely-supported Free Senior High School program.

Parents navigating the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) in Ghana's Ashanti Region have reportedly encountered demands for payment at a resolution centre in Kumasi. Unidentified individuals operating at this facility are alleged to have solicited sums reaching up to GH¢300. These payments were purportedly requested to allow candidates to bypass extensive queues and to expedite the processing of their placement concerns, offering a fast-track option for what should be a free public service.

The emergence of these allegations has generated considerable frustration among parents at the Kumasi centre. Many individuals, after dedicating numerous hours to waiting for assistance, have reportedly abandoned the entire placement process due to the perceived exploitation and the inefficiency of the system. This situation casts a shadow over the accessibility and fairness of essential educational services, particularly for those who cannot afford the alleged fees.

In direct response to these troubling reports, Ghana's Ministry of Education has issued a firm directive to officials within the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Ashanti Region. The order explicitly instructs them to take immediate steps to halt the alleged demands for money from parents. Hashmin Mohammed, the Ministry of Education's Press Secretary to the Minister for Education, confirmed that while he had not received direct complaints, the ministry had been closely monitoring media reports detailing the issue.

Following its observation of the media landscape, the ministry promptly engaged with both GES officials in the Ashanti Region and the coordinator responsible for overseeing the Free Senior High School placement process. This intervention aimed to ensure that any such illicit practices are brought to an immediate end. Mohammed unequivocally stated that parents are not required to make any payments for services related to CSSPS placement. Furthermore, regional officials have been specifically tasked with implementing robust measures to prevent parents from being exploited while they seek crucial assistance with the placement process, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the system.

This unfolding situation brings to light significant compliance risks pertaining to anti-corruption and public sector ethics within Ghana's education administration. It particularly impacts critical public service delivery mechanisms such as the Computerised School Selection and Placement System. The alleged demands for payment fundamentally undermine the principle of equitable access to education, which is a cornerstone of national policy, and erode public trust in the fairness and integrity of the placement system itself.

The Ministry of Education's swift and decisive directive underscores the government's commitment to upholding transparency and ensuring fairness in all educational processes. However, the very existence of such allegations points to underlying vulnerabilities within the system that necessitate ongoing vigilance, robust oversight, and potentially more stringent internal controls. Ensuring that all citizens can access essential public services without facing financial coercion is paramount for maintaining public confidence in government institutions and for the successful implementation of national educational initiatives, including the widely-supported Free Senior High School program.

This development highlights potential compliance risks related to anti-corruption and public sector ethics within Ghana's education administration, particularly concerning public service delivery mechanisms like CSSPS. Lawyers advising educational institutions or public sector entities should monitor for official investigations or policy changes stemming from these allegations, and ensure internal controls prevent similar practices.

Source: Original reporting via Joy FM