Fiifi Boafo

Fiifi Boafo, a former Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has stressed the need for holistic education of Ghanaian children.

He said the education of the Ghanaian child should not only focus on the passing of examinations, but one that awakens curiosity, foster resilience, and promote values that bind the people as a society.

He also called for an investment in educational institutions to help create an ecosystem that nurtures talent and encourages young minds to dream big.

This, he said, would also create opportunities for children to explore, particularly in co-curricular and practical activities.

Fiifi Boafo said this at the fifth graduation and prize giving day of Starhill International School in Tarkwa, Western Region.

Mr. Boafo, a resident of Tarkwa, noted that the area could boast of vibrant businesses and substantial purchasing power, making it an ideal place for cultivating a future generation poised for success.

He stated that children deserve spaces where they can learn not only academics but also essential life skills, empathy for one another, and the importance of giving back to the community.

“They must be able to grasp the significance of being responsible citizens, and schools like Starhill International, are key in providing such education,” he pointed out.

According to him, for the past five years, he has witnessed the school’s dedication to excellence, including its academic achievements, the all-around development of each child, and the encouragement of creativity and critical thinking among the students.

“These attributes are invaluable in equipping the children for the realities of the world they will traverse,” he added.

Mr. Boafo also encouraged the administration, teachers, and parents of Starhill to continue striving for excellence. He indicated that, their unwavering commitment to the development of the children will address the challenges of tomorrow.

The Director of the School, Nana Kwame Yeboah, called for the support of stakeholders in making Starhill the very best in Takrwa and the country as a whole.

Mr. Yeboah indicated that, he will continue to strive to help the school achieve its set objectives, as he has demonstrated over the past years.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

Fiifi Boafo

Fiifi Boafo, a former Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has stressed the need for holistic education of Ghanaian children.

He said the education of the Ghanaian child should not only focus on the passing of examinations, but one that awakens curiosity, foster resilience, and promote values that bind the people as a society.

He also called for an investment in educational institutions to help create an ecosystem that nurtures talent and encourages young minds to dream big.

This, he said, would also create opportunities for children to explore, particularly in co-curricular and practical activities.

Fiifi Boafo said this at the fifth graduation and prize giving day of Starhill International School in Tarkwa, Western Region.

Mr. Boafo, a resident of Tarkwa, noted that the area could boast of vibrant businesses and substantial purchasing power, making it an ideal place for cultivating a future generation poised for success.

He stated that children deserve spaces where they can learn not only academics but also essential life skills, empathy for one another, and the importance of giving back to the community.

“They must be able to grasp the significance of being responsible citizens, and schools like Starhill International, are key in providing such education,” he pointed out.

According to him, for the past five years, he has witnessed the school’s dedication to excellence, including its academic achievements, the all-around development of each child, and the encouragement of creativity and critical thinking among the students.

“These attributes are invaluable in equipping the children for the realities of the world they will traverse,” he added.

Mr. Boafo also encouraged the administration, teachers, and parents of Starhill to continue striving for excellence. He indicated that, their unwavering commitment to the development of the children will address the challenges of tomorrow.

The Director of the School, Nana Kwame Yeboah, called for the support of stakeholders in making Starhill the very best in Takrwa and the country as a whole.

Mr. Yeboah indicated that, he will continue to strive to help the school achieve its set objectives, as he has demonstrated over the past years.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

Osman Ayariga and Opare-Addo at the clean-up exercise

ALL 261 districts in the country on Saturday, August 2, observed the nationwide Sanitation Day to commemorate the National Youth Festival Celebration, which began on August 1 under the theme, “Ignite Potential Inspiring Change”.

At the Ledzokuku Municipality, volunteers for the clean-up exercise swept the roadside areas, weeded the bushes in between the roads, and desilted choked gutters to make way for the free-flow of waste water to prevent spillage and flooding.

Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, following his assumption of office, has prioritised youth involvement in sanitation exercises, thereby necessitating its inclusion in the month-long festival to create awareness.

He emphasised that community-led sanitation initiatives foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the youth, which helps reduce pollution, protect water sources, and preserve natural habitats.

“Regular clean-up exercises can help reduce waste disposal costs and improve waste management infrastructure, as clean environments contribute to a better quality of life, enhancing the well-being of citizens. These benefits can have a positive impact on the country’s overall development and well-being,” he mentioned.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, emphasised the importance of communal sanitation and encouraged young people to take ownership of their environment, stressing that it is their responsibility to keep their surroundings clean, regardless of the presence of waste management companies like Zoomlion.

The NYA CEO added that the authority has a packed schedule for the month, with upcoming events including a religious engagement with the Christian Fellowship at the Empowerment Chapel, a youth conference in Kumasi, a nationwide walk against substance abuse on August 29, and a street carnival on August 30.

The National Youth Festival is an initiative by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and the National Youth Authority.

By Prince Fiifi Yorke

Some commercial vehicles

The recent 15% reduction in transport fares after a drop in fuel prices and the appreciation of the cedi was expected to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians. This reduction took effect from May 24, 2025 and applied to shared taxis, intra-city transport (‘trotro’), intercity transport (long distance) and haulage. However, many commercial drivers in Accra have expressed frustration about how the reduction has reduced their daily income.

Atta, a trotro driver on the Osu to Abokobi road, said the government’s call to reduce fares has negatively impacted their earnings.

“There is even the introduction of the D-Levy, where we’re taxed for one cedi on every litre of fuel we purchase, also prices of spare parts haven’t been reduced. The fare reduction just made things worse,” he said in an angry tone. “The road to Abokobi is also bad. We spend more money maintaining our cars than before.”

According to Atta, the supposed fuel price relief the government promised has not been implemented to support drivers, as other operational costs remain high. “Our income level has fallen drastically,” he added.

Moro, a trotro mate, who has worked for 12 years, shared a similar view. “After paying for fuel, sales, and ticket, there’s nothing left. My wife doesn’t even believe me when I tell her how little I earn.”

Another driver said he could make ends meet under the previous government, but not anymore.

These drivers threatened that they might mobilise for a nationwide strike if the government doesn’t take measures to support them.

Mr. Kwaku Gyan, Secretary of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) Branch 2 at Osu, confirmed that many drivers were unhappy with the fare reduction directive.

While the Ashanti Regional Chairman of GPRTU, Alhaji Sumaila Boakye, in an interview on May 24, 2025 urged spare parts dealers and service providers to also reduce the cost of their goods and services – following GPRTU’s decision to reduce transport fares – there has not been any confirmed nationwide response to this call.

Although some vendors in Abossey Okai claimed they have reduced prices of spare parts slightly due to the cedi’s appreciation and easing imports costs, many drivers say they have not noticed any significant difference in the prices.

This lack of coordinated price drop has prompted commercial drivers to call on the government to intervene with policies that touch on vehicle maintenance costs, road conditions, and fair fare pricing.

As fuel prices rise again, drivers are not smiling at vehicle stations at all. For many of them, the government’s promise of economic fairness feels distant.

Now, the question is: who is really benefiting from Ghana’s public transport policies – the passengers, drivers, the spare parts dealers, GPRTU, or the government?

By Abdul Karim Adizatu (email: [email protected])

Children in basic school

“If you want to measure the quality of a school, don’t start with the building or the curriculum—start with the parents.”

In many education reform discussions, we focus on teacher training, curriculum reviews, classroom infrastructure, and government policies. These are all undeniably important. Yet, there’s a quieter, often underestimated force shaping school quality—parents.

Particularly at the basic school level, where foundational skills and character are formed, the impact of parenting cannot be overstated. A school is not just a collection of classrooms and staff; it is a community ecosystem, and at the heart of this ecosystem are families. When schools struggle, it is rarely just about weak leadership or inadequate resources. Sometimes, it is the absence of engaged, responsible, and value-conscious parents.

The Myth of “The School Will Fix It”

We’ve adopted a flawed societal expectation: that schools can raise children. Parents drop off their children at the school gate—sometimes literally and emotionally—and assume that the teachers will not only educate them but also instill values, discipline, ambition, and manners.

But schools were never designed to replace the home. They are a complement. When parents are disengaged, disrespectful, inconsistent, or absent in a child’s educational life, the school becomes a lone soldier in a battle that requires a whole army.

Five Ways Parents Shape School Quality

1. Value Transmission
   Children mirror what they see at home. When a parent values learning, punctuality, respect, and integrity, it is often reflected in the child. A school with many such children quickly becomes a school where academic and behavioral standards are naturally high.
2. Discipline Backing
   No matter how structured a school is, it cannot successfully discipline a child whose parents undermine every corrective action. A strong school-parent partnership ensures that the same standards are upheld at home and in school.
3. Parental Involvement
   Schools with high parental participation in PTA meetings, volunteerism, home-based support, and school events tend to be more effective. These schools evolve faster, communicate better, and feel more like communities.
4. Financial Commitment and Prioritization
   Basic schools depend on timely fee payments, resource contributions, and parent-led initiatives to function well—especially in contexts where state support is minimal. When parents consistently under-prioritize their children’s education financially, the school’s progress stalls.
5. Cultural Tone
   Parents help set the culture of a school. Are parents respectful or entitled? Do they spread gossip or encourage solutions? Do they model collaboration or hostility toward staff? A school’s atmosphere is often a reflection of the collective spirit of its parent body.

A Thought Experiment

Imagine two schools. Both have similar infrastructure and teachers. But in one, parents attend meetings, follow up on homework, read notices, pay fees on time, reinforce school values at home, and provide encouragement. In the other, parents are frequently absent, quarrel with staff, ignore communications, delay payments, and spoil disciplinary efforts.

Now ask yourself—which school would perform better? Which one would teachers be more committed to? Which one would attract better students and staff? The answer is obvious.

When Parents Lead, Schools Soar

Some of the world’s best schools are not defined by marble walls or digital whiteboards—they are defined by strong parent-school partnerships. When parents see the school as an extension of their home and their role as educators continues beyond drop-off, transformation happens.

This is not to say schools should abdicate their responsibilities or place blame on parents. But it is a reminder that no school can rise above the quality of its community, and at the center of that community are parents.

What Should Change?
• Parent Education: Schools should invest in educating parents—through regular seminars, reading clubs, and training—on how to support learning at home and be effective partners.
• Parent Codes of Conduct: Just as students have rules, schools can benefit from clear expectations for parental behavior and engagement.
• Celebrate Model Parents: Recognizing and rewarding parents who consistently support the school sends a signal that their contributions matter.
• Feedback Loops: Schools must build systems that allow parents to contribute ideas—not just complaints—and co-own the direction of the school.

Conclusion: The Mirror We Must Face

Basic schools, especially private ones, are under increasing pressure to prove their worth. Yet, much of that worth is tied to the quality of families that walk through their gates. A school that lacks supportive parents will find itself swimming upstream no matter how visionary its leadership is.

So the next time we ask why a school isn’t doing well, perhaps we should ask another question: What kind of parents does this school have?

Because if the home is broken, no classroom can fully fix it.

By Patrick Apea-Danquah, Deputy Director Institute for Education Studies

Julian Opuni

Fidelity Bank has announced the highly anticipated return of its acclaimed “Sika Bumm” promo, now “Sika Bumm Reloaded.”

Building on the immense success of its previous iterations, this revitalised initiative aims to empower cherished customers with life-changing lump sums of money, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to rewarding diligence and encouraging financial stability across the country.

The “Sika Bumm Reloaded” campaign offers a straightforward yet impactful path to significant cash prizes. With a minimum deposit and maintenance of just GH¢500 in their current or savings account, customers automatically begin earning points each month.

This points-based raffle system, operated transparently through the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) Caritas platform, is designed to drive sustainable deposit growth and reward consistent account activity. For every GH¢500 in deposit growth, a customer earns one raffle point, directly increasing their chances of winning in both the monthly and grand draws. More points mean greater chances of winning in both the monthly and grand draws.

“At Fidelity Bank, your hard work deserves to be rewarded,” stated Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana. The Sika Bumm Reloaded campaign reflects our deep respect for the goals and discipline of our customers and we believe the most impactful way to put a genuine smile on the faces of our dear customers is to give them the opportunity to win ‘Sika Bumm’ – a lump sum that can truly transform their lives.”

Mr. Opuni further added, “Whether it’s to invest big in their business, purchase a parcel of land, enjoy a well-deserved family vacation, acquire a car, or simply build a strong financial nest egg, we are putting real money back in their hands to pursue their various dreams and plans.” Mr. Opuni continued, “This promo is our way of saying: if you’re doing the right thing with your money, we’ll stand with you and reward you meaningfully.”

The promo features exciting draws designed to keep the momentum going. Monthly draws are held at the end of each month, with winners announced in the second week of the following month. Each monthly draw will reward 10 fortunate customers with GH¢5,000 each. The pinnacle of the promo is the Grand Draw, where the top 10 winners will receive substantial prizes ranging from GH¢30,000 to an impressive GH¢100,000.

The system encourages long-term savings and account activity, aligning with Fidelity’s broader financial inclusion and customer growth strategies. Qualifying customers will receive regular SMS notifications detailing their ticket allocations for upcoming draws, along with venue and date information. This ensures transparency and keeps participants engaged throughout the campaign.

Fidelity Bank encourages all existing customers to actively participate in the “Sika Bumm Reloaded” promo by growing and maintaining their account balances. Non-customers are also warmly invited to open an account with Fidelity Bank today and seize this extraordinary opportunity to be rewarded for their savings discipline.

A Business Desk Report

The five suspects including the Nkosuohene

A TRADITIONAL leader has reportedly been arrested for indulging in illegal mining, popularly called ‘galamsey’, in a forest reserve.

Nana Kwadwo Poku, who is the Nkosuohene (Development Chief) of Minti, a farming town in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region, was nabbed with four other suspects.

The five suspects, including the 45-year-old Nkosuohene, were said to be digging the ground for gold in the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve when they were arrested.

The remaining suspects have since been identified by the security agents as Mohammed Martey, 30; Kwame Signah, 33; Akwasi Amadu, 48; and Yaw George Asirifi, 41.

The Forestry Commission Management Team and the Rapid Response Unit carried out the successful operation which led to the arrest of the suspects, who are in police custody.

According to reports, the suspects were apprehended in Compartment 30 of the forest reserve. They were mining with an excavator and other equipment, which have been seized.

The suspects, reports indicated, had destroyed a sizable portion of the forest reserve before they were eventually arrested and handed over to the police.

Items such as one motorbike, a power plant, and an air blower fuel tank, were set on fire in the forest by their captors, reports indicated.

However, other reports suggested that other equipment, which were also seized from the suspects, have been given to the police to support investigations, which is underway.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi

The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) has commended the Government of Ghana for its continued commitment to building a sustainable and equitable cocoa economy, following the official launch of the 2025/2026 cocoa season and the announcement of a historic increase in the producer price of cocoa.

On August 4, 2025, the government announced a significant raise in the producer price of cocoa, increasing it from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne — a 62.58% jump in dollar terms.

The decision was made by the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), chaired by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, ahead of the new season, which opens on Thursday, August 7.

In a statement issued on August 6, the CIGCI congratulated Ghana for what it described as a bold and record-setting move, saying the increase underscores the country’s dedication to the welfare of its cocoa farmers.

“This increase is a clear demonstration of our members’ commitment to uphold their promise to cocoa farmers and strengthen the foundation for a fairer and more resilient cocoa economy,” the statement said.

The Initiative also commended the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for its leadership in pushing for a more equitable global cocoa market. It noted that the new price forms part of a broader strategy to correct deep-rooted imbalances in the cocoa value chain.

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire — which together produce over 60% of the world’s cocoa — have, since 2019, worked closely to align farmgate pricing policies, improve market transparency, and advocate for fairer value distribution across the sector.

Executive Secretary of the CIGCI, Alex Assanvo, said the two countries’ joint commitment to farmer welfare is transforming the industry.

“Since 2019, amid a volatile cocoa economy with market prices often falling below production costs, the two countries have collaborated to address entrenched market failures that left cocoa producers at a disadvantage. A fair price to farmers is the first milestone toward achieving a sustainable cocoa sector,” he noted.

The CIGCI reaffirmed its vision to make cocoa the world’s first truly sustainable commodity — economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sound. The Initiative emphasised that lasting transformation in the cocoa industry can only be achieved when farmers are placed at the centre of reforms.

“There is no cocoa, and no chocolate, without the cocoa farmer,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, the increased Minority Caucus in Parliament has described this increase as “ridiculous, unfair, and completely unacceptable.”

Speaking on behalf of the caucus at a press briefing on Tuesday, August 5, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food and Agriculture Committee, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, emphasised that the new price amounts to a “stab in the back” of hardworking farmers who continue to contribute significantly to Ghana’s economy.

The caucus warned that such poor remuneration could push cocoa farmers to abandon their farms and lease them to illegal miners, thereby worsening the country’s galamsey crisis and threatening the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

“Cocoa farmers deserve far better for their toil and sacrifices for their enormous contribution to the
economy of the country. They cannot be taken for granted all the time. The deception must stop!

“This new farm gate price of GH¢3,228.75 per bag is ridiculous, laughable, comical, absurd, shameful,
unfair, and a stab in the back of cocoa farmers. This is complete “sakawa” and unacceptable.

“This new price of GH¢3,228.75 per bag is completely unacceptable and has to be reviewed immediately to motivate our cocoa farmers and prevent the temptation of farmers giving their cocoa farms out to galamsey operators.

“We must safeguard our cocoa industry, protect our farmers’ livelihoods, and maintain Ghana’s enviable position in the industry. The government must come again and offer a better price. Cocoa Farmers matter and demand better!! If you cannot spell, you do not write,” he stated.

Govt has scammed cocoa farmers with new producer pricing – Oppong Nkrumah