COUNTING: List of Eleven Headteachers Interdicted for Charging Unauthorized Fees in SHSs 

In a bold move to address financial irregularities within the education system, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted eleven headteachers from Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono Regions. The interdictions come in response to allegations of charging unauthorized fees from new students.

The affected headteachers, including prominent figures such as Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa of Kumasi Girls SHS and Mr. Nataniel Asamoah of Asanteman SHS, are facing comprehensive investigations initiated by Regional GES offices.

The charges against these headteachers range from unauthorized fees for house dues, books, calculators, admission processes, to charges for the printing of slips, files, and hymn books. The GES has emphasized its commitment to ensuring transparency and ethical conduct within the education system.

This recent development follows a series of similar interdictions in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions concerning the unauthorized sale of items to students. Notably, Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen and Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu were directed to step aside for selling unauthorized items, including “Borla fees,” “motivation fees,” and various other charges.

Two headmistresses, Nadia Lartechoe Annan of O’Reilly SHS and Patience Naki Mensah of Ghana Senior High School, have also been asked to step aside pending investigations into alleged unauthorized collections. Mrs. Annan faces scrutiny for unauthorized money collection during the admission process, while Mrs. Mensah is under investigation for the unauthorized sale of ceremonial cloth, tracksuits, and other items to Form One students.

The GES, in letters dated December 6th and 7th, 2023, respectively, has outlined the specific charges against these headteachers and has directed them to hand over school property during their absence.

The interdictions underscore the GES’s determination to uphold ethical standards and protect students and their families from unauthorized financial burdens. Investigations will ascertain the extent of the unauthorized fees charged, and appropriate corrective measures will be implemented to ensure the integrity of the education system.

The list of the interdicted headteachers is as follows:

1. Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa – Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS

2. Mr. Nataniel Asamoah – Headmaster of Asanteman SHS

3. Mr. Andrews Boateng – Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School

4. Mr. Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah – Headmaster of Manso-Edubia SHS

5. Mr. Daniel Boamah Duku – Headmaster of the Agric Nzema Community SHS

6. Ms. Gladys Sarfowah – Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School

7. Mr. Ampong Ahmed Omar – Headmaster of Collins SHS

8. Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen – Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School

9. Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu – Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School

10. Mrs. Nadia Lartechoe Annan – Headmistress of O’Reilly Senior High School

11. Mrs. Patience Naki Mensah – Headmistress Ghana Senior High School.

This serves as a great cautionary lesson to all headteacher and other stakeholders of Senior High Schools to be mindful of money collections, and glue themselves to the national prospectus.