STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF PUNISHMENT

Discipline in schools is not simply about enforcing rules; it reflects cultural values, psychological motivations, and social dynamics. In my opinion, the reasons students remain to accept punishment from teachers reveal both respect for authority and pragmatic considerations about their conduct.  

Students often stay to receive punishment because they hold deep respect for their teachers, acknowledging them as custodians of knowledge and discipline. They also view punishment as an opportunity to learn from mistakes and to realign their behavior with expected standards. Many prefer to resolve issues directly with teachers so that disciplinary matters do not escalate or spread beyond the classroom. In addition, students dread the possibility of their families discovering their misconduct, knowing that parental discipline may be stricter and longer‑lasting. Staying to receive punishment also helps them avoid being labeled as defiant or irresponsible in front of classmates.  

When students lack awareness of these underlying reasons and choose instead to resist or walk away, the situation often escalates. In such cases, some teachers attempt to assert their authority more forcefully, seeking to prove their power over the student. Unfortunately, this dynamic can lead to open conflict, where any disciplinary action taken by the teacher is easily interpreted as violence. The result is embarrassment for both parties and a perception of unprofessional conduct, undermining the teacher’s role as a guide and mentor.  

Some teachers, aware of the risks of embarrassment and public criticism, adopt a cautious approach. They attend school, deliver their lessons, and then quietly leave, postponing or avoiding direct punishment of students. This strategy is often intended to protect their professional image. However, the few teachers who show genuine concern by enforcing discipline are frequently the ones spotlighted on social media, where their actions are portrayed as bullying. Such portrayals distort the intent of discipline and contribute to the narrative that teacher authority equates to violence, further complicating the professional responsibilities of educators.  

Student discipline is a complex negotiation of respect, fear, and social identity. While many students accept punishment for pragmatic and cultural reasons, ignorance or resistance can lead to conflict and misinterpretation. Teachers, therefore, must balance authority with professionalism, ensuring that discipline reinforces growth rather than humiliation. At the same time, society must recognize the difference between genuine correction and abuse, lest the role of the teacher be unfairly diminished in the eyes of the public.

By Seyram Kwame Agbanu

Ghana Muslim Mission Senior High School (Beposo)

My Kwame Nkrumah

 Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng writes:

*My Kwame Nkrumah*

 *Jul - 16 - 2024 , 12:35*

Nana Kwame Appiah, my grandfather, was the Adontenhene of Toase in Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region when the famous Chief Owusu, the father of the equally famous Nana Akwasi Agyeman, was the Chief of Toase.

Nana Kwame Appiah was a diehard UP supporter. He bought a Peugeot Caravan for the party. As far as I can remember, certainly from the age of four, he told us about the United Party and mentioned names such as Baffour Akoto, Kofi Busia, Chief Dombo, B.F. Kusi and many more.

I did not hear anything positive about the "CPP". This was how he called Nkrumah’s CPP. The whole extended family followed our Patriarch and became members or sympathizers of the United Party and its traditions.

Later on in life, I began to appreciate the works of Kwame Nkrumah. I believe that Nkrumah should be seen not only in terms of the physical things he built, which were massive and no one else comes near him, but also in terms of how he affected human lives.

Undoubtedly, he was the most important person in the fight for Ghana’s independence and also mentored several African leaders fighting for independence in their respective countries. He brought hope to the Black people everywhere on the globe.

Nkrumah championed the concept of African Personality when he declared that: "The African must assert his own personality and develop according to his own ways of life, his own customs, traditions and culture."

I do not like everything Nkrumah did. But then, I do not even like everything I do myself. Such is the fallibility of man.

During Nkrumah’s reign, Ghanaians were respected throughout the world. Ghanaians who studied abroad returned home immediately after their studies to take up positions to help build Ghana with a sense of pride. Sub-Saharan Africans abroad all portrayed themselves as Ghanaians. Everybody was proud to be associated with Ghana.

Ghanaians were held in high esteem throughout the world. Unlike today, when young Ghanaians are struggling to travel abroad to seek greener pastures because of harsh economic conditions, due to corruption and mismanagement. Nobody dared to lay his hand on a Ghanaian. In our days, we have witnessed the slaying of Ghanaians in many parts of the world, including The Gambia and Nigeria.

Nkrumah did all he could to eliminate tribalism and promoted loyalty to the State of Ghana. This position is exemplified by a statement he made in his book, Africa Must Unite: "We were engaged in a kind of war, a war against poverty and disease, against ignorance, against tribalism and disunity. We needed to secure the conditions which could allow us to pursue our policy of reconstruction and development."

Through the Ghana Education Trust, Nkrumah established secondary schools in all parts of Ghana. This enabled poor children, including me, to access secondary education.

Again, Nkrumah established the Ghana Medical School against all odds and made it possible for me and thousands of Ghanaian young women and men to be trained as doctors in Ghana. The vital role that doctors trained in Ghana have played in the development of Ghana is evident to all.

Kwame Nkrumah established the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to develop and promote the peaceful utilization of nuclear, biotechnology, and other related technologies for socioeconomic development through research, training, and commercialization, and also to advise the government on policies related to the peaceful applications of these technologies.

Although GAEC has had a chequered history through coup d'état, misrule, political ignorance, and neglect by governments, through its institutions such as the Biotechnology & Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Space Science & Technology Institute (GSSTI), Graduate School of Nuclear & Allied Sciences (GNAS), National Nuclear Research Institute (NRI), Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), Radiation Protection Institute (RPI), Radiological & Medical Sciences Research Institute (RMSRIS), it has advanced to become one of the scientific and research institutions spearheading the development of this country.

Kwame Nkrumah established the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cape Coast University and the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Komfo Anokye Hospital.

Nkrumah did not have a sufficient number of technocrats – doctors, engineers, architects, scientists, etc. and the greatest of all tools, the computer, the internet, G.P.S, scanners, mobile phones, etc. were not available. But, think about what he did with the little that was available to him. 

Factories and Industries: State Boatyards Corporation, State Brick and Tile Corporation, State Cannery Corporation (Nsawam), State Cocoa Products Corporation, State Distilleries Corporation, State Electronic Products Corporation Sanyo factory, (Tema), Glass Manufacturing Corporation, State Marble Works Corporation, State Paints Corporation, Sheet Metal Works Corporation, State Textile Manufacturing Corporation Akosombo, GIHOC Nzema Oil Mills Company Limited, GIHOC Vegetable Oil Mills Company Limited, Tema Food Complex Corporation (TFCC), Fibre Bag Manufacturing Corporation (Kumasi Jute Factory), Kwame Nkrumah Steel Works Corporation, Paper Conversion Corporation, State Footwear Corporation (Kumasi shoe factory), Sugar Products Corporation (Komenda & Asutuare), State Advertising Company, GIHOC Bottling Company Ltd, GIHOC Pharmaceuticals, GIHOC Paper Conversion Co. Ltd., GIHOC Printing & Paper Products, GIHOC Refrigeration and Household Products Ltd., Mosquito Coil Co Ltd, Abosso Glass Factory, Zuarungu Meat Factory, Wenchi Tomato Factory, Kade Match Factory, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Pwalugu Tomato Factory, Tarkwa Bonsa Tyre Factory, Bolgatanga Rice Mill Factory, Cocoa Silo, Tema were all built by Nkrumah.

Nkrumah built State Owned Enterprises and Other Projects including: Ghana Black Star Line with 15 ships, Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), National Investment Bank (NIB), State Insurance Company (SIC), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA),

Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), The National Management and Productivity Institute, Ghana Film Industries Accra, Ghana Airways Corporation, Afienya Gliding School, Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC), Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD) and VALCO.

Housing and Hotel Projects: In Accra (Labone Estate, Kanda Estates, Osu Ringway Estates, Airport Residential Area); In Kumasi (Patasi Estate, Kwadaso Estate, Buokrom Estates, North and South Suntreso); Tema Township (Communities), Army Barracks – Tema, Army Barracks – Sunyani, Tamale Air Field, Army Officers Bungalows – Burma Camp, Air Force Quarters on the way to Burma Camp, YWCA, New Government Transport Terminal – Kumasi, New Government Transport Terminal– Accra, Black Star Square, Block of Flats for Volta River Authority, High Rise Office Blocks for the Income Tax,  Police Headquarters, Prison Warden Quarters, Police Quarters at Tesano, Airport and Mamprobi, New Judges Bungalows, Larterbiokorshie Flats and Peduase Lodge.

Hotels (Star, Meridian, Ambassador, Continental now Golden Tulip Accra, Atlantic, City Hotel Catering Rest Houses now Golden Tulip Kumasi).

Other projects: Ghana Museums, Ghana Film Corporation, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Akosombo Dam, Accra (Kotoka) International Airport (paradoxically named after the person who overthrew him), Accra-Tema Motorway, Tema Harbour and Adomi Bridge.

Kwame Nkrumah wrote several books:

1.Negro History: European Government in Africa, The Lincolnian, 12 April 1938, p. 2 (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania) - see Special Collections and Archives, Lincoln University

2.Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah (1957) ISBN 0-901787-60-4

3.Africa Must Unite (1963) ISBN 0-901787-13-2

4.African Personality (1963)

5.Neo-Colonialism: the Last Stage of Imperialism (1965) ISBN 0-901787-23-X

6.Axioms of Kwame Nkrumah (1967) ISBN 0-901787-54-X

7.African Socialism Revisited (1967)

8.Voice From Conakry (1967) ISBN 90-17-87027-3

9.Dark Days in Ghana (1968) ISBN 0-7178-0046-6

10.Handbook of Revolutionary Warfare (1968) - first introduction of Pan-African pellet compass ISBN 0-7178-0226-4

11.Consciencism: Philosophy and Ideology for De-Colonisation (1970) ISBN 0-901787-11-6

12.Class Struggle in Africa (1970) ISBN 0-901787-12-4

13.The Struggle Continues (1973) ISBN 0-901787-41-8

14.Speak of Freedom (1973) ISBN 0-901787-14-0

15.Revolutionary Path (1973) ISBN 0-901787-22-1

None of the detractors of Nkrumah has written a single book.

There were at least 8 attempts on his life in the following locations: Dodowa Vilas, Railway Station Annex, UAC Motors, Accra Stadium, Kumasi Assembly Hall, Flag Staff House, and Kulungugu and around the main ministries in Accra.

Nkrumah is dead and gone.

However, he has relatives and children, and the legacy of Nkrumah, a global icon, must be respected.

*Nkrumah’s greatness and his unparalleled contribution to Ghana and Africa were sealed when, in the year 2000, he was voted African Man of the Millennium by a BBC World Service listeners’ poll.*

*Asɛm asa!*

******************************************

The author, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, is a Ghanaian Physician and Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He is also a former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

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Digitalisation Of Teacher Promotions In Ghana: Progress Or Problems?

The gradual digitalisation of teacher promotions in Ghana has become one of the major reforms within the Ghana Education Service in recent years. From online registration to computer-based examinations and electronic processing of promotion results, technology is steadily changing how teachers advance in their careers.

Supporters of the system believe digitalisation has brought speed, transparency, and efficiency. However, many teachers also complain about technical difficulties, poor communication, network challenges, and frustrations associated with the process.

This raises an important question: Is the digitalisation of teacher promotions in Ghana truly solving problems, or is it creating new ones?

The Shift From Manual To Digital Systems:

In the past, many promotion-related activities were handled manually. Teachers often travelled long distances to district or regional offices to submit forms, verify documents, or check promotion lists. The process was slower and sometimes vulnerable to favouritism, missing records, and delays.

Today, many aspects of the promotion process are becoming digital. Teachers can now:

Register online

Receive examination updates electronically

Access promotion portals

Track certain processes digitally

Write computer-based examinations in some cases

The goal is to modernise the system and reduce unnecessary paperwork and delays.

The Benefits Of Digitalisation:

1. Faster Processing

One major advantage of digital systems is speed. Information can be processed more quickly compared to manual systems. Results and updates can reach teachers faster through online platforms.

2. Improved Transparency

Digital records can reduce manipulation and favouritism. Once information is properly entered into a system, it becomes easier to track promotions and verify teacher data.

Many teachers believe this can help reduce cases where deserving candidates are ignored unfairly.

3. Reduced Paperwork

The use of online systems reduces the burden of carrying physical documents from one office to another. This saves time, transportation costs, and stress.

4. Better Record Keeping

Electronic databases make it easier to store teacher information for future reference. Missing files and misplaced documents may become less common.

The Problems Teachers Still Face:

Despite the advantages, many teachers continue to experience serious challenges with the digital promotion process.

1. Poor Internet Connectivity

In many rural communities in Ghana, internet access remains unreliable. Teachers in remote areas often struggle to complete online registration or access important updates.

Some are forced to travel to nearby towns simply to use internet services

2. Technical Errors And System Failures

Teachers frequently complain about:

Portals not opening

Failed submissions

Login problems

Missing records

Slow websites during deadlines

When systems fail close to registration deadlines, anxiety and frustration increase among candidates.

3. Limited Digital Skills

Not all teachers are technologically confident. Some older teachers especially find online systems difficult to navigate without assistance.

This creates dependency on internet café operators or colleagues, sometimes leading to mistakes during registration.

4. Poor Communication

Another major complaint is inadequate communication from authorities. Teachers often rely on social media rumours because official updates may arrive late or remain unclear.

This confusion sometimes causes candidates to miss deadlines or important instructions.

5. Financial Burden

Although digitalisation is supposed to simplify processes, many teachers still spend money on:

Internet bundles

Printing documents

Online registration assistance

Transportation to ICT centres

For teachers already struggling financially, these extra costs become burdensome.

The Human Side Of The Problem

Promotion is not merely about salary increases. For many teachers, promotion represents recognition, motivation, and career progress.

When digital systems delay promotions or create confusion, teachers become discouraged. Some lose confidence in the system entirely.

A motivated teacher is more likely to perform well in the classroom, while a frustrated teacher may lose morale.

What Can Be Done?

To improve the digital promotion system, the following steps may help:

Improve Internet Access

Government and stakeholders should expand reliable internet services, especially in rural areas.

Provide ICT Training

Teachers should receive regular digital training to help them navigate online systems confidently.

Strengthen Technical Support

Support teams should be available to quickly resolve portal and registration problems.

Improve Communication

Official information should reach teachers early through clear and trusted channels.

Simplify The Platforms

Promotion portals should be user-friendly and accessible even to teachers with basic ICT knowledge.

Conclusion:

The digitalisation of teacher promotions in Ghana is a step toward modernisation, and it has the potential to improve efficiency and transparency within the education sector. However, technology alone cannot solve every challenge.

Without proper infrastructure, reliable communication, technical support, and digital training, many teachers will continue to experience frustration instead of convenience.

Digital transformation should make life easier for teachers, not more stressful. As Ghana continues to modernise its education system, authorities must ensure that no teacher is left behind in the digital era.

How To Future-Proof Your Teenager’s Education In The Face Of New A.I. Advancements

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is changing the world faster than many people expected. From education and healthcare to banking, farming, journalism, and transportation, A.I. is transforming how people work and live. Tasks that once required humans are now being done by machines within seconds. As this technology grows, many parents are asking an important question: How can I prepare my teenager for the future?

The truth is simple: the future job market will not only reward academic certificates. It will reward creativity, adaptability, problem-solving, communication skills, and the ability to work alongside technology. Parents and teachers who fail to prepare teenagers for this reality may leave them struggling in a rapidly changing world.

Here are practical ways to future-proof your teenager’s education in the age of A.I.

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1. Teach Them How To Learn, Not Just What To Learn

Many students today focus mainly on memorising notes to pass examinations. However, A.I. can now provide information instantly. The real advantage in the future will belong to people who can learn new skills quickly and adapt to change.

Teenagers should be encouraged to:

• Ask questions
• Think critically
• Research independently
• Solve problems creatively
• Learn beyond the classroom

A child who knows how to learn can survive in any changing environment, even when careers evolve or disappear.

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2. Encourage Digital And Technological Skills

Basic computer knowledge is no longer enough. Teenagers should become comfortable using technology responsibly and productively.

Important skills include:

• Typing and computer literacy
• Internet research
• Graphic design
• Video editing
• Coding and programming
• Data analysis
• Cybersecurity awareness
• Responsible use of A.I. tools

Students do not necessarily need expensive gadgets to start learning. A smartphone with internet access can already open doors to online tutorials, digital learning platforms, and educational videos.

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3. Develop Human Skills That A.I. Cannot Easily Replace

Even the smartest machines still struggle with certain human qualities. These skills will remain valuable for decades.

Parents and schools should help teenagers improve:

• Communication skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Public speaking
• Decision-making
• Empathy

A.I. may generate answers, but humans are still needed to inspire, lead, negotiate, and connect emotionally with others.

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4. Teach Financial Literacy Early

The future economy may become more unpredictable due to automation and changing job opportunities. Teenagers should therefore understand money management before adulthood.

They should learn:

• Saving habits
• Budgeting
• Entrepreneurship
• Investment basics
• Responsible spending
• Online business opportunities

A teenager who understands money can create opportunities instead of depending entirely on traditional employment.

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5. Encourage Reading Beyond School Textbooks

Many students only read to pass examinations. Yet the future belongs to people with broad knowledge and exposure.

Teenagers should read:

• Biographies
• Technology news
• Science articles
• History books
• Personal development materials
• Business and entrepreneurship content

Reading expands thinking and improves creativity, communication, and confidence.

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6. Allow Them To Explore Their Talents

Not every child will become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Some may excel in music, sports, media, technology, fashion, content creation, or digital business.

The rise of social media and digital platforms has created entirely new careers that did not exist years ago. Parents should support teenagers in discovering and improving their natural talents while balancing academics.

A teenager with strong talent and digital skills can build a successful future independently.

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7. Teach Responsible Use Of A.I.

A.I. should not become a shortcut for laziness or cheating in school. Teenagers must learn that technology should assist learning, not replace thinking.

They should use A.I. to:

• Research ideas
• Improve writing
• Learn difficult concepts
• Practice languages
• Explore careers

At the same time, they must still develop original thinking and independent reasoning.

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8. Promote Adaptability And Lifelong Learning

The jobs available today may change drastically within the next ten years. Some careers may disappear while new ones emerge.

Teenagers must understand that learning does not end after school. The most successful people in the future will continually upgrade their skills.

Parents should encourage curiosity, flexibility, and openness to change.

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9. Balance Technology With Good Values

While technology offers many opportunities, it also comes with dangers such as addiction, misinformation, cybercrime, and moral decline.

Teenagers should be guided with:

• Discipline
• Respect
• Honesty
• Time management
• Strong moral values

A smart child without discipline can still make poor decisions. Character remains important in every generation.

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Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is not the enemy of education. Instead, it is a powerful tool that is reshaping the future. The challenge for parents, teachers, and governments is to prepare teenagers not merely for examinations, but for life in a rapidly evolving world.

Future-proofing a teenager’s education means helping them become adaptable, technologically aware, creative, disciplined, and emotionally intelligent. The world is changing quickly, but teenagers who are properly prepared will not fear the future — they will lead it.

The question every parent must ask now is not whether A.I. will change the future. The real question is whether our children are ready for that future.

From Hidden Dealers to Powerful Invaders: Ghana’s Growing Illegal Mining Crisis

Back in 2002, when I was posted to Manso Gyegyetreso after college, the situation in our mining communities was completely different from what we see today. At that time, there were no visible Chinese miners operating openly in the area. The mining activities were mainly carried out by Ghanaians engaging in small-scale operations to survive and support their families.

The only place one could occasionally find Chinese nationals was around a certain white house near Poano, where they quietly sold mining equipment and artefacts to local miners. They operated cautiously and avoided public attention. In fact, many of them were afraid to be seen openly by the people. Those were very different times, and I remember them vividly.

Fast forward to recent years, and the story has changed drastically. Around last year, I travelled through Anwiankwanta to Santase, and what I witnessed shocked me deeply. The overwhelming presence of Chinese nationals in our mining communities was impossible to ignore. Excavators, destroyed lands, polluted rivers, and entire communities transformed by illegal mining activities painted a disturbing picture.

That journey opened my eyes to the frightening scale of environmental destruction taking place across our lands. Forest reserves are disappearing, water bodies are being poisoned, and fertile lands that once supported farming are now left devastated. The activities of illegal miners, especially foreign nationals operating with apparent confidence and influence, have pushed Ghana into a dangerous environmental crisis.

What worries me most is the level of expansion and control these foreign operators now seem to have in many mining areas. They have acquired properties, businesses, and networks within surrounding communities. Their influence appears deeply rooted, making the fight against illegal mining increasingly difficult.

This raises troubling questions: How did we allow this to happen? Who is protecting these operations? Why has enforcement become so weak despite the obvious destruction happening before our eyes?

Many ordinary Ghanaians are frustrated and angry because the consequences of illegal mining affect everyone. Polluted rivers threaten our drinking water, damaged lands affect agriculture, and the long-term environmental cost may take generations to repair.

Ghana cannot afford to lose this battle. The country needs stronger political will, honest leadership, strict law enforcement, and collective national action to reclaim our lands and protect our future before the destruction becomes irreversible.

COME AGAIN, MR. MANASSEH AZURE.

Dear brother,

Your letter to President John Dramani Mahama is emotionally charged, theatrically indignant and carefully calculated to create the impression of a country descending into tyranny. Yet beneath the flourish and moral grandstanding lies a deeply flawed argument riddled with contradictions, dangerous assumptions and a troubling disregard for the very constitutional principles you pretend to defend.

You claim to be a defender of free speech. Fair enough. Every democracy needs vigilant voices. But free speech is not synonymous with immunity from the law. Freedom of expression does not abolish responsibility, neither does it place citizens above lawful scrutiny where allegations of false publication, incitement or deliberate misinformation arise.

That distinction is precisely where your entire argument crumbles.

You accuse President Mahama of presiding over a supposed assault on free expression merely because individuals have been investigated, arrested or prosecuted under existing laws passed by Parliament and interpreted by courts of competent jurisdiction. 

Yet in the same breath, you demand that the President “call the security agencies to order,” intervene in ongoing matters and somehow influence the conduct of investigations and prosecutions.

What exactly are you advocating?

Because what you are describing is not democracy. It is executive interference.

One moment you lament abuse of power; the next moment you are openly inviting the President to interfere with constitutionally independent institutions merely because the accused persons happen to belong to the opposition. That is astonishing.

Under Ghana’s constitutional order, the President is not an imperial ruler who picks up a phone to terminate investigations because journalists or activists are uncomfortable. 

The Police Service, national security apparatus and judiciary are not meant to operate according to the emotional temperature of public commentary. If there is abuse of process, the courts exist precisely to address it.

And by your own admission, many of these cases collapse in court.

That alone demolishes your thesis.

It proves the system is working.

It proves suspects are not being marched before firing squads or condemned without recourse. It proves judges retain independence. It proves accused persons have access to legal remedies. It proves due process still exists.

But apparently that is not enough for you.

You would rather the President step in extrajudicially and direct security agencies on who should or should not be investigated. Ironically, the very conduct you would have condemned as authoritarian under another administration is exactly what you are subtly demanding today.

Your selective outrage is equally revealing.

Where was this passionate constitutional purism when reckless propaganda, deliberate falsehoods and coordinated political disinformation polluted the national space for years? Where was this alarm when reputations were maliciously destroyed online, fabricated claims spread recklessly and public panic manufactured for partisan gain?

Democracy cannot survive on the doctrine that political speech is exempt from accountability merely because it is uttered by opposition figures.

No serious nation operates that way.

The law on false publication was not invented by President Mahama. It exists within Ghana’s legal framework and remains subject to judicial interpretation. If there are concerns about its application, then the remedy lies in legal reform, constitutional challenge and judicial review — not emotional blackmail directed at the President.

Your attempt to personalize every action of state institutions to Mahama himself is intellectually dishonest.

You say: “The buck stops with you.”

Politically, yes. Constitutionally, no.

A President appointing officials does not mean he micromanages every operational decision they take. Otherwise, every acquittal, every failed prosecution and every judicial embarrassment must equally be laid at his feet. You cannot selectively invoke presidential responsibility only when it suits your narrative.

More dangerously, your piece creates the false and incendiary impression that Ghana has descended into dictatorship merely because some opposition activists have encountered the law. That is reckless exaggeration.

People are arrested every day in democratic societies. Politicians are questioned. Journalists are investigated. Citizens are prosecuted. The critical issue is whether due process exists, whether courts function and whether accused persons have rights.

In Ghana, they do.

Your comparison to military rule is therefore not only absurd but insulting to victims of actual authoritarian regimes where dissenters disappear, media houses are shut down permanently and courts become ceremonial ornaments.

Ghana is nowhere near that reality.

Indeed, the greatest irony in your piece is this: you were able to publish an explosive public attack on the sitting President without disappearance, censorship or state retaliation. That fact alone annihilates the dystopian picture you are desperately trying to paint.

The truth is simpler than your melodrama allows.

What some people really seek is not freedom from oppression, but freedom from consequences.

A democracy governed by law cannot function on that basis.

President Mahama would betray the Constitution far more gravely if he descended into ongoing investigations and ordered security agencies to stand down merely because politically connected commentators disapproved. That would be the real abuse of office.

The rule of law demands something more difficult than outrage. It demands restraint. It demands institutional independence. It demands that allegations be tested in courtrooms, not adjudicated through emotional newspaper prose masquerading as constitutional wisdom.

You are entitled to your opinions, Mr. Awuni.

But your argument, stripped of rhetoric and sentimental nostalgia, amounts to little more than this: that the President should interfere with lawful processes whenever opposition figures are involved.

That proposition is untenable, dangerous and profoundly anti-democratic.

Yours faithfully,

Kasise Ricky Peprah 

The Honourrebel Siriguboy

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Indiscipline in Ghanaian Schools and School Rules: A Case Study of the Amaniampong SHS Assault Incident

In recent years, concerns about indiscipline in Ghanaian schools have grown steadily. Cases of student violence, bullying, disrespect for authority, and clashes among students continue to make headlines across the country. One incident that sparked national debate was the assault case at Amaniampong Senior High School. The incident once again raised difficult questions about discipline, school rules, student behaviour, and the overall state of moral training in Ghanaian educational institutions.

The Growing Problem of Indiscipline

Discipline is the backbone of every successful educational system. Without discipline, learning becomes difficult, teachers lose control, and schools become unsafe environments. Unfortunately, many Ghanaian schools today are facing increasing levels of indiscipline. Students openly challenge authority, engage in bullying, abuse social media, fight among themselves, destroy school property, and sometimes even attack teachers or fellow students.

What was once considered unacceptable behaviour is gradually becoming normalised. Some students now see school rules as restrictions rather than guidance meant to shape their future.

The Amaniampong SHS assault case is one of several incidents that demonstrate how serious the problem has become.

Understanding the Amaniampong SHS Assault Case

The assault incident at Amaniampong Senior High School shocked many Ghanaians because schools are expected to be safe spaces for learning and character formation. Although investigations and public discussions surrounding the matter revealed different opinions, one thing became clear: discipline in schools is weakening.

Many people blamed students, while others pointed fingers at parents, school authorities, social media influence, and even society itself. The truth is that indiscipline does not emerge overnight. It develops gradually when rules are ignored, values are neglected, and corrective measures become inconsistent.

Why School Rules Matter

School rules are not created to punish students unnecessarily. They exist to maintain order, safety, respect, and fairness within the school environment. Rules help students learn responsibility, punctuality, obedience, and self-control — qualities that are essential for success in life.

In many Ghanaian schools, rules cover areas such as:

Respect for teachers and school authorities

Proper dressing and appearance

Attendance and punctuality

Prohibition of violence and bullying

Restrictions on drugs, alcohol, and dangerous items

Academic honesty and examination conduct

When these rules are properly enforced, schools function effectively. However, when enforcement becomes weak or selective, students begin to disregard authority.

Factors Contributing to Indiscipline in Ghanaian Schools

1. Poor Parenting and Broken Moral Training

The home is the first school of every child. Unfortunately, many children grow up without strong moral guidance. Some parents defend their children even when they are wrong, making it difficult for schools to correct bad behaviour.

Others are too busy to monitor their children’s activities, friendships, and online exposure. As a result, students enter school already lacking discipline and respect.

2. Influence of Social Media

Social media has become a powerful influence on students. While it offers educational opportunities, it also exposes young people to violence, disrespectful behaviour, cyberbullying, and harmful trends.

Some students imitate aggressive behaviour they watch online. Others seek attention through misconduct because they believe controversy brings popularity.

3. Fear of Enforcing Discipline

In the past, teachers had stronger authority to discipline students. Today, many teachers fear being accused of abuse or facing public criticism. This has weakened enforcement in some schools.

As a result, some students become emboldened because they believe there will be little or no punishment for misconduct.

4. Peer Pressure

Students are heavily influenced by their peers. In some schools, students join bad groups to feel accepted or protected. This often leads to bullying, violence, and rebellion against school authorities.

5. Decline in Moral and Civic Education

Academic excellence alone cannot build a disciplined society. Many schools now focus heavily on examination performance while moral education receives less attention. Character formation must be treated as seriously as academic achievement.

The Need for Balanced Discipline

While discipline is necessary, it must also be fair, lawful, and humane. School authorities should avoid excessive punishments that humiliate or harm students. Discipline should aim at correction rather than revenge.

Students must also understand that freedom comes with responsibility. Rights without discipline can lead to chaos.

A balanced approach should involve:

Clear and fair school rules

Consistent punishment for misconduct

Guidance and counselling services

Strong parent-school cooperation

Moral and leadership training

Student engagement in positive activities

The Role of Parents, Teachers, and Society

Solving indiscipline in schools is not the responsibility of teachers alone. Parents, religious institutions, communities, and government all have important roles to play.

Parents must actively monitor their children’s behaviour and support schools in enforcing discipline. Teachers must serve as role models and apply rules fairly. Society must stop glorifying violence and misconduct among young people.

Students themselves must realise that discipline is not oppression. It is preparation for adulthood and leadership.

Conclusion

The assault case at Amaniampong Senior High School serves as a warning sign about the growing challenge of indiscipline in Ghanaian schools. If urgent attention is not given to the issue, more serious incidents may occur in the future.

Schools are not only places for academic learning; they are institutions for shaping character and building responsible citizens. Ghana’s future depends not only on educated students but also on disciplined and morally upright young people.

Restoring discipline in schools will require courage, fairness, cooperation, and a renewed commitment to moral values. Without discipline, education loses its true purpose.