On Monday July 4, 2022, Eduwatch joined other CSOs and Citizens to launch the "Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance" or "THE CITIZENS' COALITION". Eduwatch is a Member of the Coalition, based on our principle of Promoting Accountability, Transparency, Equity and Inclusiveness in our Educational System.

The Coalition is on a mission to "establish a culture of accountable and transparent governance that actively and consciously responds to the demands of citizens and promotes Human Rights, Constitutionalism and the National Interest." We demanded immediate action from government to some critical socio-economic and governance challenges facing the country.

The demands and actions bordered on Corruption and the needless waste of Public Resources, the purported Reclassification of the Achimota Forest Reserve and matters arising, Government's steps at implementing the Agyapa Royalties Agreements and matters arising, lapses in the Accounting for COVID-19 Funds, and the delay in the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill.

The Citizens Coalition currently comprises 34 CSOs and 10 individuals. In the coming weeks, we would be sharing our thoughts and demands on other critical challenges within the economy including youth employment, education, health, internal security and the potential threats of terrorism among others.

© Africa Education Watch

Mr Kofi Asare, Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has called for an increase in stakeholder collaboration to curb examination fraud and malpractices to ensure that the Ghanaian pre-tertiary assessment system conforms to international standards as students gets ready for the upcoming 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Mr. Asare noted that based on the achievements in the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), the Ministry of Education (MoE) should engage the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) once again to oversee the printing and distribution of WASSCE 2022 papers.

He said curbing examination fraud and malpractice was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders including parents, students, school authorities, West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), MoE, Ghana Education Service (GES), Civil Society Organizations, Police and other Justice Sector Institutions.

Mr Asare stated in a paper copied to the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema, stressing that it was necessary to engage the public, especially stakeholders three weeks to the commencement of WASSCE 20202 on implantation progress and measures instituted to ensure a fair and credible examination.

The Eduwatch Executive Director however commended MoE and the NIB for the joint measures which protected the integrity of the 2021 BECE.

He said through the deployment of NIB officials who provided security during the questions printing and distribution process.

“We note that, as a result of the external security arrangement involving the NIB, aside the Police personnel stationed at WAEC, there was no leakage of the BECE papers.

“We commend the MoE and the NIB for their collaboration to improve questions security,” Mr. Asare, stated.

Mr. Asare noted the commitments made by MoE and WAEC for serializing questions, strengthening external invigilation, initiating legal reforms to criminalize examination n malpractices and enhancing the security features of question packs.

He added that as a result of the external security arrangement involving the NIB, aside the police personnel stationed at WAEC, there was no leakage of BECE papers in 2022.

The Education Think Tanks also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene to expedite action on various WASSCE 2021 examination fraud complaints and petitions.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education must take a keen interest in the implementation progress of commitments made by the Police, MoE, WAEC, and GES at its convening in Koforidua on October 21, 2021.

Source: modernghana.com

On Wednesday July 6, 2022, Eduwatch participated in a forum on "Civil Society Reflections on the Implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Law in Ghana". The forum was organised by Star Ghana Foundation in partnership with the Ghana Developing Communities Association and Ghana Friends, to galvanize Civil Society interest and support to address challenges affecting the effective implementation of the RTI Law.

A Technical Paper was presented to review Access to Information within the Context of the RTI Law. It highlighted various challenges from the two-year implementation of the Law, and made recommendations to strengthen civic awareness on its implementation.

Eduwatch’s Programme Officer, Kwasi Nimo Jnr, referenced its yet to be published annual Open Governance Index Report which found that 45% of Education Sector Institutions (ESIs) did not have Information Officers as mandated by the RTI Law, and indicated that institutions need to make conscious efforts at enhancing their knowledge and adherence to the Law to promote Open Governance Standards in their operations.

He emphasized that an effective implementation of the RTI law would enhance transparency, accountability and openness among ESIs.

Participants at the forum included the Executive Secretary for the RTI Commission, representatives from the Ministry of Information, the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Coalition on the Right To Information Ghana. The Media was ably represented.

© Africa Education Watch