Education Ministry Orders Probe into Alleged GH¢30,000 Bribery in School Placement

The Ministry of Education has taken note of recent media reports alleging bribery in the ongoing school placement process, following comments attributed to the Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Joseph Azumah.

According to the reports, Mr. Azumah claimed that, “Someone who knew I was an MP came to me at Community 16, where I live, and asked me to help their child gain admission to a certain school. Within a week, the person came back with evidence showing that they had paid GH¢30,000 to secure the placement. Why are we doing this to ourselves?”

The Ministry said it takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness and concern. Similar concerns have also been raised by Mr. Richard Asamoah Mensah, Secretary of the Construction and Building Workers’ Union of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC).

In response, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has:

• Convened a meeting with National Security, and
• Referred the matter for urgent and thorough investigation.

A spokesperson for the Ministry stated:

“We are deeply troubled by these allegations and are taking immediate steps to establish the facts. Integrity and fairness are the bedrock of the school placement system, and we will not tolerate any form of manipulation or corruption.”

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and merit-based placement within the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

“Any individual found to have engaged in bribery, extortion, or interference with the placement process will face the full rigours of the law,” the Ministry emphasized.

It also urged Mr. Azumah, Mr. Mensah, and any other individuals with credible evidence to cooperate fully with National Security to support the ongoing investigation.

“This is a shared responsibility. We urge anyone with information to come forward. Ensuring a just and fair placement process is in the national interest,” the statement concluded.

The Ministry reiterated its resolve to safeguard the integrity of the school placement process and to ensure that every Ghanaian child gains access to secondary education based solely on merit — not money or influence.

Also read:

‘Don’t charge unapproved fees from parents’ – Education Minister warns head teachers.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has cautioned headteachers nationwide to stop demanding unapproved fees from parents as first-year students report to school, warning that offenders will face strict disciplinary action.

The Breaking DeskFrim Pong