Delete Corporal Punishment

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah
Majority of stakeholders in education as well as students have proposed that corporal punishment( beating or canning) should be deleted from the school code of conduct.
Hopefully this would put to rest the debate on the call to stop the use of physical punishment in schools.
These findings came out during the presentation of the State of the Corporal Punishment report, a research project undertaken by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Those in favour of a total abolishment claimed corporal punishment inflicted pain and sometimes injuries on schoolchildren and as a result, some school children dropped out of school while it discouraged others from learning.
Presenting the findings in Accra recently, the Director of the National Centre for Research into Basic Education (NCRIBE), Dr Richard Ofori, said when the question of whether corporal punishment be banned in Ghanaian schools was posed, respondents from junior high school (JHS) Form One and Two were equally split between yes or no.
Those in primary four, five and six, however supported the ban. While parents, teachers and some Circuit Supervisors were also in favour of not banning corporal punishment in schools, he said.
Dr Ofori said when some of the students were asked to state how corporal punishments were meted out to them in school, they disclosed that some teachers usually called them during assembly and gave them strokes of cane on their buttocks, palms, finger tips and head. Others were also put on tables and held down firmly by big boys in the school and canned mercilessly.
For students who were in support, he said the students themselves claimed some of their colleagues were very rude and disrespectful and, therefore, the best way to reform them was to cane them.
Besides, those in favour were of the view that caning sometimes enabled students to stay focused on their studies since no child would want to be humiliated in the presence of the whole school.
During a discussion after the presentation, some stakeholders were also of the view that corporal punishment should not
be banned completely. They explained that there should be a little room for punishment when children go wrong, as that would deter other children from committing similar offences in future.
When the Junior Graphic went round some of the schools to seek their views on the issue, some were totally against it especially, those in the private schools while others were for it. For instance, Judith Amoah Mensah of the Happy Kids School at Awordshie in Accra said corporal punishment should be abolished completely. “If teachers want to punish us for doing the wrong thing they can ask us to write 100 or more lines in an exercise book that ‘we shall not do that again’ rather than treating us like animals” she lamented.
A student of the Ayalolo Junior High School in Accra who remained anonymous was for it explaining that, in their school for instance some students try to fight back at the teachers whenever they go wrong as a result corporal punishments is very good to deter students from stealing, cheating during examination and fighting in school.

Singing cop to grab GMA award?

By Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

His grand appearance on the music scene has been as surprising as it is fascinating. Not only has Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kofi Sarpong broken barriers as a security officer and musician; he also has mass appeal for his inspiring songs, dancing skills and elegant dress sense.

It is not unusual to see policemen singing in public — the Police Central Band has been an integral part of society and has been seen at state and private functions for many years. However, DSP Sarpong is perhaps the first security officer who has gone public in music production. And just a few months on the music scene, the ‘Singing Cop’ has already carved a niche for himself and his debut album, Sacrifice, is enjoying massive airplay and is high up the music chart.

Ayeyi Ndwom, one of the tracks on the album, is currently fifth on the popular Adom FM Top 20 Music Chart published by the Graphic Showbiz, an indication of the popularity of his music.

That Sacrifice connects well with music fans is the result of the craftsmanship of songwriters such as Kwabena Akwaboa,  Michael 'O.J.' Oware Sakyi and Kwesi Ernest who wrote some of the songs an the album and the handiwork of some renowned recording engineers such as Zapp Mallet, Nacy, Collins T and Shadrack Yawson.

The end result of every great album is usually massive airplay, good sales and possibly awards. The appeal of the Sacrifice album culminated in DSP Sarpong receiving nominations in three categories for tonight’s 11th Ghana Music Awards, with the hit song, Ayeyi Ndwon, listed for the enviable Gospel Song of the Year award.

Not many gospel artistes rise to such prominence within a short time and to be nominated for both the Gospel Artiste of the Year and the Discovery of the Year awards is the ultimate endorsement for DSP Sarpong by the connoisseurs of the music industry and the general public.

Ironically, although currently rated among the giants in the gospel music industry, DSP Sarpong is not a member of the Police Band but rather the officer in charge of Supplies at the Police Headquarters in Accra. 

One significant thing about DSP Sarpong, the aide-de-camp to the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, is that he appears at ease, effectively combining two professions — policing and music. 

Last week Thursday when The Mirror visited the ‘Singing Cop’ at his office at the Police Headquarters for him to throw more light on his new-found career, the young and smart-looking police officer was busy behind his desk attending to procurement issues.

Sporting a grey suit with a light peach shirt to match, he opened up to The Mirror concerning his music career and new-found fame but the hearty conversation was interrupted by constant knocks on his door by other police officers who needed his services. 

That was enough evidence that DSP Sarpong is a busy man. Therefore, taking on another demanding and challenging work like music was the story The Mirror wanted him to share with readers.

DSP Sarpong’s passion for singing and dancing is an open secret to his colleagues who have worked with him in the Police Service for the past 14 years. Reminiscing on his days with the former IGP, he said the former police chief often allowed him to display his talent at public functions, to the admiration of the audience, adding that those opportunities opened the door to his new career.

 “Sometimes when I escorted him to social functions, he told the audience, ‘There is a policeman here who likes to sing for free so I would like him to perform two songs for you.’ Then I will do it,” he explained.

 It is no surprise, therefore, that he is a member of all the singing groups at the Rev Dr Thomas Nantomah Memorial Presbyterian Church at Kanda, where he fellowships.

“I am the reserved type. Therefore, when I am not policing, I am in my church quietly singing and dancing. I am the band leader, choir secretary and president of the Anointed Voices, therefore I always have something to do,” he explained.

He was quick to add that music is just a hobby, for which reason he tries as much as possible not to let it have precedence over his profession as a police officer.

 How, then, did he venture into professional music? 

DSP Sarpong explained that after singing at a friend’s wedding, he was approached by Mr Ernest Kwasi Ennin, who is now his Executive Producer, to record him.

“In fact, that was two-and-a-half years ago but I told him I was a policeman and couldn’t go commercial. However, he kept pushing. Therefore, I decided to write a letter to the Police Administration for permission. My sister, I swear I knew it wouldn’t be possible and that was why I did it, so I could show the refusal letter to Ernest to get him off my back. Incredibly, it was endorsed and here I am everywhere performing to glorify God,” he said.

Fame comes at a price and DSP Sarpong has his fair share of the downside of celebrity status. He spoke fondly of how he drove around freely in the past and ate virtually anywhere with friends. However, fame has put limitations on his movement and some habits.

 “The little fame I’ve attained is making it impossible for me to enjoy my favourite ‘konkonte’ around the GBC Club House. Now when I do so people point fingers at me,” he said amidst giggles.

A native of Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region, DSP Sarpong, the third of four children, holds a Diploma in Purchasing and Supplies from the United Kingdom. 

His education commenced at the Berekum Methodist Primary, from where he proceeded to the Berekum Secondary School (BESS) for his Ordinary Level education, after which he enlisted into the Ghana Police Service in 1996.

His first station was the Quarter Master’s Office at the Police Headquarters. After furthering his education, he was promoted from a Constable to an Inspector, after which he proceeded to the Police College. Upon completion, he was transferred to the Police Hospital and put in charge of the stores.

By dint of hard work, he was selected on a peacekeeping mission in The Sudan. There, he was the Chief of Logistics for the Police Civil Component for a year.

DSP Sarpong, who is very fond of his mother, Madam Comfort Yeboah, alias Yaa Seikwa, is married to Salomey, with whom he has two children — Nana Nketiah and Maa Afia Yeboah Sarpong.

He expressed gratitude to the entire Police Administration which granted him the opportunity to show his talent.

His hobbies are dancing and cooking. Indeed, the Singing Cop waxes lyrical about his culinary skills. “I can cook anything — from kenkey, banku, konkonte, fufu to rice, which is the simplest. In fact, when I was a Constable and not married at the Osu Barracks, I used to sit in front of my kitchen to prepare banku and konkonte to the admiration of all the women.” 

Give him a bowl of konkonte with groundnut soup and a little okra anytime and he will be thankful to you.

Unilever Ghana embarks on national campaign

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

Unilever Ghana is embarking on a nation-wide campaign to encourage children to observe good oral care by brushing their teeth at least twice daily.

The campaign, which has been officially launched, is dubbed, “The Close Up Day and Night Brushing Campaign”.

Launching the campaign, the Head of Unilever Ghana’s Brand Building Team, Mr Akofa Ata, said the campaign aimed at creating a new long-term habit of children and parents brushing their teeth day and night.

“The experts recognise that twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste is the most beneficial behaviour for children to prevent tooth decay, boost their self-confidence and prevent the expenses that tooth decay can cause,” he explained.

Mr Ata stated that the Close Up Day and Night Campaign would be embarked on in about 1,500 schools country-wide, adding that Close Up would also work hand in hand with the Ghana Dental Association (GDA), the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the media to educate the general public on the importance of keeping healthy teeth.

He explained that the company’s focus would be more on children in first-cycle schools, adding, “Our aim is to engage the kids at an early age in order to build this habit as part of their daily routine.”

In the course of the academic year, he said, Unilever teams would visit some selected schools within the country to educate the pupils on the correct way of brushing the teeth.

During the launch, a video on the campaign revolving around two characters, Max and Oliver, was shown. In the video, a father and his son, Max and Oliver, share tips and tricks on how to make brushing an enjoyable act instead of a boring one.

Headmaster writes BECE

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

THE Headmaster of Mawuli International School at Akwatia has been arrested on suspicion of posing as a candidate in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

John Ahiale, 36, who was smartly dressed in school uniform, was spotted by one of the supervisors sitting behind a desk, with index number 212101003, at the St Rose’s Senior High School Centre.

He is alleged to have registered as a candidate.

The suspect, however, claimed that he was just writing the papers for himself, notwithstanding his age, profession and position as headmaster.

The acting Director of the Test Administration Division of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr Kweku Nyamekye-Aidoo, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic yesterday, said a supervisor had confronted Ahiale to ascertain his real identity because of his size and age.

He said it was some of the candidates who disclosed Ahiale’s identity as a headmaster and not a student.

Mr Nyamekye-Aidoo explained that Ahiale was able to write the first day's papers on Monday — English Language Paper One and Two and Social Studies Paper One.

"He was, however, stopped from writing Social Studies Paper Two on Tuesday morning because we are convinced he might have registered for a candidate who bears the same name like his and was writing for that candidate," he indicated.

Mr Nyamekye-Aidoo said the Ahiale had been handed over to the Akwatia Police for further investigation.

The Akwatia District Police Commander, DSP Nana Yawson, confirmed to the Daily Graphic that the suspect was in police custody.

He, however, said the police intended to grant Ahiale bail to continue with the examination because WAEC had confirmed that he duly registered for the BECE.

He wondered why someone who authenticated the registration of candidates for the examination would himself register for the same examination.

DSP Yawson said the police would collaborate with WAEC and the Ghana Education Service to get to the bottom of the matter.

The BECE enters its third day today, with candidates left with four more papers to write. They are Mathematics, Basic Design and Technology, Ghanaian Language and French.

In all, 350,888 candidates from 10,016 schools are participating in this year’s BECE, which ends on Friday.

Micro labs for all basic schools

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah      

Government is to introduce the first-ever micro laboratories in all first cycle schools across the country.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Mr Paul Kofi Krampa,  who disclosed this to the Junior Graphic, said the micro lab project would begin on a pilot basis in 100 selected schools across the country by the end of the year.

He explained that the project was initiated by the government to promote the study of science at the basic level of education.

“Making science a key programme in our educational curriculum is one of the issues raised by the President, Professor J.E.A. Mills, during the State of the Nation address this year,” he added.

Mr Krampa said the micro lab would have simple and unbreakable kits which would be suitable for children in the lower and upper primary school levels.

He said although schoolchildren were introduced to science as a subject at the basic school level, the schools did not have  basic science kits to enable the children conduct their own experiments.

“This is the reason why schoolchildren are not interested in learning the sciences these days. However, as parents or teachers, it is our responsibility to encourage our children to get interested in the sciences at an early age,” he stressed.

According to him, most children believed that learning science was a mystery, “even though science is happening around us every day. We need to use these things to develop children’s interest and knowledge.”

Mr Krampa said the experiments would be based on specific age groupings and was hopeful that when such experiments were conducted at such early stages, they would boost the children’s confidence in the sciences.

He stated that schools which would be selected on the pilot programme would be monitored carefully to make them successful. 

Mr Krampa said the rest of the schools would be included after the pilot programme.

Major rehabilitation of Science Centres

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

All National Science Resource Centres (NSRC) in senior high schools (SHS) across the country are to go through a major    rehabilitation.

The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo in an interview, said the rehabilitation works had become necessary as almost all the 110 NSRC lacked various equipment which were essential for the study of science in the SHSs.

“The NRSC were put up in the early 90s but had not seen any major rehabilitation exercise nor been re-equipped to conform with modern demands in the study of science,” he added.

He stated that the sole aim of establishing the NSRC was to make science more attractive to students and also to enable schools which did not have laboratory facilities move to those with the resource centres for their practical lessons.

Mr Tettey-Enyo, further explained that due to the lack of basic science facilities, like the microscope, laboratory stools and apparatus for practical lessons, most students did not want to study the science programmes. 

“Normally when you ask some of the students to select science, you will hear them saying that science is too difficult. This is because the facilities are not available for them to experiment to see how easy science could be when the appropriate facilities are there from the basic level,” he said.

He added that the various science subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology were supposed to be more  practical than theory and, therefore, when the facilities were not in the laboratory for students to study, it would have a ripple effect on their final output in the  West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Mr Tettey-Enyo said with the replacement of obsolete apparatus at the resource centres with modern ones and also the rehabilitation of  infrastructure, it would urge school authorities to increase the intake of science students this academic year.

Govt to provide more dormitories for all SHSs

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

In order to provide adequate classrooms and dormitories for students in senior high schools (SHSs), the government, from this month, will start phase one of the project to accommodate fresh students for the 2010/2011 academic year.

 The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, who disclosed this to the Junior Graphic, said the multi-million cedi project is to provide 160 schools which are in dire need of infrastructure with a six-unit classroom block each.

“Apart from this, we shall also provide 120 schools with dormitories. This is to enable the schools to admit the adequate number of students in the boarding house without facing any problem of overcrowding,” he said.

Mr Tettey-Enyo explained further that all the various ongoing projects in the SHSs which had come to a standstill for some time now would also be completed.

According to him, there were some school buildings which only required roofs, windows and doors to be fixed to be  completed.

“The government has also decided to provide all the schools with furniture so that students can study in a more relaxed and conducive environment,” he added.

Mr Tettey-Enyo said by the end of the project each of the 495 SHSs would have been provided with a six-unit classroom block and a dormitory.