The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that parents are currently paying bribes to secure admissions into various senior high schools (SHSs) in Ghana.
According to him, these bribes are being demanded at the placement centers for SHS admissions.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points regarding the Corruption Perceptions Index report by Transparency International, Dafeamekpor expressed concerns about corruption in the education system, citing instances where parents are allegedly paying to secure spots in popular schools.
He claimed that corruption has infiltrated the computerized placement system, leading to demands for bribes at placement centers.
Dafeamekpor argued that this issue needs to be addressed to ensure fairness in the admission process.
“Today, parents are paying bribes to admit their children into SHSs because the computer system is being tampered with.
“They will tell you Achimota School is full but if you pay money they will admit you, they will tell you PRESEC is full but if you pay money they will admit you, this is not from the headmasters but persons at the placements centers,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday Febraury 3 regarding the Corruption Perceptions Index report by Transparency International, released on Tuesday, January 30, ranking Ghana in the 70th position out of 180 countries monitored.
Additionally, Dafeamekpor criticized the current administration’s efforts in fighting corruption, stating that former President John Dramani Mahama demonstrated stronger political will in tackling corruption during his tenure.
In contrast, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu asserted that President Akufo-Addo lost the fight against corruption when he appointed relatives as ministers of state. Kpebu emphasized that Akufo-Addo’s family and friends’ governance is a sign of corruption.
On the same program, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Andy Appiah-Kubi, defended President Akufo-Addo, arguing that blaming the president for acts of corruption by other officers is unfair. Appiah-Kubi emphasized the independence of state investigative bodies empowered to fight corruption.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report by Transparency International ranked Ghana 70th out of 180 countries, with a score of 43 out of 100.
The report highlighted concerns about stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts for the fourth consecutive year.