Education Ministry probes alleged bribery in SHS Placement

The Ministry of Education has initiated urgent investigations into reports of bribery in the ongoing Senior High School (SHS) placement process.

This follows claims by the Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Hon. Joseph Azumah, that an individual approached him seeking help to secure a school placement after allegedly paying GH₵30,000 to an intermediary. The revelation has raised fresh concerns about integrity and fairness in the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

In a statement signed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, the Ministry said it views the allegations with utmost seriousness. It added that similar concerns had recently been raised by the Secretary of the Construction and Building Workers’ Union of the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Richard Asamoah Mensah.

“The Honourable Minister for Education has convened a meeting with National Security and has formally referred these and other related allegations for urgent and thorough investigation,” the statement read.

The Ministry assured the public that it remains committed to maintaining integrity, transparency, and fairness in the placement process. It emphasized that any individual found to have engaged in acts of bribery, extortion, or manipulation of the system would face the full rigours of the law.

Dr. Apaak urged Hon. Joseph Azumah, Mr. Richard Asamoah Mensah, and other persons with credible evidence to cooperate fully with National Security to aid the investigations. He said collaboration among stakeholders was crucial to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability.

“The Ministry remains resolute in safeguarding the integrity of the placement process and ensuring that access to secondary education remains free, fair, and merit-based for every Ghanaian child,” the statement concluded.