Parenting Challenges in Modern Ghana : Are We Losing Control?

Parenting has never been easy, but in today's fast-changing Ghanaian society, it's becoming even more complicated. From the influence of social media to economic hardship, parents are facing enormous challenges in raising disciplined, focused, and responsible children. Are we, as a nation, beginning to lose grip on the values that once shaped strong families?

1. The Pressure of Modern Living

Many parents now juggle multiple jobs just to make ends meet. This leaves little time to guide children or monitor their behavior. In the absence of parental presence, TV, smartphones, and social media often take over, teaching children things that may not align with our cultural or moral values.

2. The Influence of Western Culture

From the way children dress to the music they listen to, there's no denying the strong influence of foreign cultures. While some exposure can be positive, many children today imitate lifestyles that promote disrespect, materialism, and rebellion, often at odds with Ghanaian values of respect, humility, and hard work.

3. Discipline Without Abuse : A Lost Balance

Some parents still cling to the old methods of strict discipline, while others fear using any form of correction at all. This imbalance creates confusion for children. We must redefine discipline, not as abuse, but as loving correction and consistent boundaries.

4. Schools and Churches Can’t Do It Alone

It’s common to hear parents say, “The teacher or pastor will correct them.” But the primary responsibility lies with the home. Teachers and religious leaders are only meant to support,not replace,parents in the moral upbringing of a child.

5. What Can We Do?

Spend quality time with your children, no matter how busy you are.

Monitor their media consumption and online activity.

Teach by example: children often do what we do, not what we say.

Seek support from parenting groups, churches, and schools when needed.

Conclusion:

The future of Ghana lies in the hands of today’s children, and parenting is the foundation. We must rise to the challenge, adapt to the times, and return to the principles that build strong, value-driven families. Ghana needs more intentional parents, starting with you and me.

By Emmanuel Abanti

Mahama Care vs NHIS : Is Ghana rethinking of health financing or just reinventing the wheel?

Ghana stands once again at a critical crossroads in its healthcare journey. With the recent unveiling of MahamaCare, the political debate is intensifying: Are we witnessing a bold new vision for health financing, or merely an attempt to repackage the old under a new label?

Let’s step back and take a deeper look.

The NHIS Dream : A Promise in Decline?

When the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was launched in 2003, it was hailed globally as a revolutionary step for a developing country. It aimed to replace the notorious “cash and carry” system, ensuring that every Ghanaian—rich or poor—had access to essential healthcare.

And for a while, it worked.

But today, many believe NHIS is on life support. Delayed reimbursements, expired medicines, poor service delivery, and loss of public trust have plagued the scheme. Instead of being the backbone of equitable health access, NHIS has become a shadow of its promise.

 Enter MahamaCare :Vision or Vintage?

Former President John Dramani Mahama has proposed a new system—MahamaCare—to restructure Ghana’s healthcare financing, strengthen primary health delivery, and reduce the financial burden on citizens.

From what has been revealed so far, MahamaCare seeks to:

Offer free primary healthcare to all Ghanaians.

Expand community-level health services.

Emphasize preventive healthcare over curative care.

Reform financing and reduce out-of-pocket payments.

At face value, it’s visionary. But critics argue: Isn’t this what NHIS was supposed to do in the first place?

 So, What’s Really Changing?

The heart of the debate is not just about what is being proposed, but how it will be implemented.

If MahamaCare is just a name change without structural reform, then we are indeed reinventing the wheel. But if it brings:

Better technology and data systems,

Transparent funding mechanisms,

Sustainable financing models,

A workforce overhaul,

then maybe, just maybe, this could be a necessary evolution of NHIS, not a reinvention, but a resurrection.

The Bigger Question: Can Ghana Sustain It?

Healthcare reform isn’t just about intentions. It’s about money, political will, and systems. With Ghana’s economic challenges, ballooning debt, and limited fiscal space, the question must be asked: Can we truly afford MahamaCare—or is this another political promise without a price tag?

What We Need As a Nation

1. A national health financing dialogue that cuts across party lines.

2. An audit and overhaul of the NHIS—not its burial.

3. Policy continuity, not political gimmicks.

4. A citizen-focused health system, not politician-focused branding.

Final Thoughts

Whether MahamaCare turns out to be a revolution or a remix, the health of Ghanaians should not be a political football. Ghana doesn’t need more slogans—we need systems that work.

Let’s hold our leaders accountable not just for what they promise, but how they plan to deliver it.

Is MahamaCare the future? Or are we chasing the shadow of a wheel we’ve already invented?

Let the people decide, but let the truth lead. 

By Emmanuel Abanti

Google Opens AI Centre in Accra

 

Big Win for Africa: Google Opens AI Centre in Accra with $37 Million Initiative.

History is unfolding right here in Ghana!  Google has officially launched a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre in Accra, backed by a whopping $37 million investment aimed at unlocking Africa's digital future.

This isn’t just about technology , it’s about opportunity, innovation, and inclusion. The new centre is expected to focus on African languages, healthcare, agriculture, and education, ensuring that AI solutions reflect the realities and richness of the continent.

Ghana is being positioned at the heart of Africa’s AI revolution, and this move is a huge step toward making the continent a global tech powerhouse.

As we stand on the shoulders of innovation, we must rise to the occasion by building skills, investing in STEM education, and embracing the digital shift. The future is here, and it’s being built in Accra.

Let’s celebrate this milestone ,and get ready to code, create, and compete!

#GhanaRising #GoogleAIAccra

 #AiNetworks

Navigating Reform, Stability, and Strategy in Education – A Call for Focus in Ghana

Education is the backbone of every nation’s progress, and in Ghana, the journey has been both inspiring and challenging. From colonial legacies to modern-day educational shifts, Ghana’s education system continues to evolve sometimes rapidly, and other times, uncertainly. As we look toward the future, three critical pillars demand our attention: Reform, Stability, and Strategy.

Reform: Moving Beyond Cosmetic Changes
Educational reform in Ghana has often been marked by policy shifts that don’t always reach the classroom. New curricula, new grading systems, and new terminologies are introduced, but many teachers and students remain under-resourced and under-trained to adapt.

Reform must be meaningful, not just symbolic. We must ensure:

Teachers are involved in the decision-making process.
Resources reach rural and urban schools equally.
Teacher training aligns with curriculum changes.
Reforms address core issues like literacy, critical thinking, and skills development not just exam results.
Stability: Building Trust and Continuity
Too many changes in too short a time destabilize the very foundation we are trying to build. Stability means creating a system that is predictable, dependable, and equitable regardless of which government is in power.

We need to:

Protect education from political instability.
Avoid abrupt policy reversals that leave students and teachers confused.
Strengthen local education authorities and school governance structures.
Provide consistent funding for infrastructure, textbooks, and ICT access.
Strategy: Planning for the Next Generation
A good strategy doesn't only react, it anticipates. Ghana must embrace a long-term vision for education that is rooted in data, global trends, and local needs.

Some strategic steps include:

Investing in STEM and TVET to prepare youth for future job markets.
Integrating technology in both teaching and learning, especially in underserved areas.
Prioritizing early childhood education for foundational skills.
Encouraging public-private partnerships to support education financing and innovation.

The way forward:
Ghana’s educational future should not be left to chance. It must be shaped by thoughtful reform, grounded in stability, and driven by strategy. Our children deserve an education that doesn’t just help them pass exams but equips them to solve problems, create opportunities, and lead confidently in an ever-changing world.
Let’s come together parents, teachers, policymakers, NGOs, and communities to build an education system we can all be proud of.

Let’s talk. What changes would you like to see in Ghana’s education system?

#futureoflearning #educationforall #GhanaEducation 

By : Emmanuel Abanti

Value Human life

Value Human Life

By AiNetworks

A life is not a rag to tear,
Not something cheap, not just “out there.”
Each soul you see was gently made,
With dreams and tears that will not fade.

A beating heart, a silent cry,
A child with hope still reaching high.
Yet daily, pain and needless death,
Snuff out the light, steal sacred breath.

Why raise your hand to crush, not heal?
Why hate so fast, yet fail to feel?
The mob may roar, but truth stands still—
No one has the right to kill.

She stole? He lied? You judge, you strike—
But justice is not done with pikes.
We need a world that lifts, forgives—
A world that lets the guilty live.

Let mercy speak. Let justice guide.
Let love, not anger, stand with pride.
For every soul, both weak and strong,
Deserves to live—to right their wrong.

So next you see a life at stake,
Pause, reflect—for heaven’s sake.
Don’t throw a stone, don’t take a side—
Choose the path where peace can guide.

📌 #ValueHumanLife

✊🏾 #StopMobJustice

💔 #WeAreOneBlood

Cut-Off Points in Senior High Schools: An Academic Perspective

Cut-off points have become a significant feature in the admission process of Senior High Schools (SHS) across various education systems, particularly in developing countries. This system, often based on standardized examination performance, aims to ensure merit-based placement of students into different categories of schools. However, the practice raises concerns about equity, student well-being, and the holistic development of learners. This article explores the concept of cut-off points, their advantages, limitations, and potential reforms to create a more inclusive and balanced educational system.

Education serves as a cornerstone for national development, and equitable access to quality education is a critical goal for policymakers. In many countries, including Ghana, Senior High School admissions are largely determined by cut-off points — minimum academic thresholds set by schools to select students based on performance in standardized examinations such as the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This approach intends to promote meritocracy and resource efficiency but has sparked debates on its fairness, effectiveness, and implications for student development.

Concept of cut-off points: Cut-off points are predefined minimum academic scores that students must achieve to gain admission into particular schools. These points are often influenced by:

• School Reputation and Performance History
• Availability of Resources and Facilities
• Geographical Location
• Government Policies on Education Placement

The cut-off point system aligns with the meritocratic model of education, which seeks to allocate limited educational opportunities based on academic performance.

Advantages of using Cut-Off Points 

1. Merit-Based Placement
   The system rewards hard work and academic excellence, ensuring that students with the highest scores access the best schools. This encourages a culture of competition and academic diligence.

2. Efficient Resource Utilization
   High-performing schools often have limited facilities and staff. Cut-off points help regulate the intake of students to ensure resources are efficiently allocated.

3. National Education Standards
   By placing students in schools that match their academic abilities, the system helps maintain consistent academic standards across the education sector.

4. Motivation for Students
   The prospect of gaining admission into prestigious schools acts as an incentive for students to excel in their studies.  Disadvantages of Cut-Off Points 

1. Educational Inequality
   The system disproportionately benefits students from well-resourced schools, often leaving behind those from marginalized communities. This creates a gap in access to quality education.

2. Psychological Pressure on Students
   The emphasis on high-stakes examinations can lead to stress, anxiety, and a narrow focus on memorization rather than comprehensive learning.

3. Neglect of Holistic Development
   Cut-off points primarily measure academic performance, overlooking other talents such as leadership, creativity, and sportsmanship.

4. Limited Second Chances
   Students who underperform due to temporary circumstances or late academic bloomers are often denied entry into top schools without consideration for improvement.

Ghana's Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) uses BECE results to place students into various Senior High Schools. The system has been lauded for its transparency but criticized for deepening educational inequality. A report by the Ghana Education Service (GES, 2023) indicates that only 18% of students from rural communities gain admission into Category A schools, compared to 60% from urban centers.

Recommendations:

1. Holistic Admission Criteria
   Admissions should combine academic performance with extracurricular achievements, leadership skills, and community service.

2. Affirmative Action Programs
   Special quotas should be allocated for students from underserved communities to promote inclusivity.

3. Continuous Assessment Integration
   Incorporating continuous assessment scores into final placement decisions can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student abilities.

4. Mentorship and Remedial Programs
   Schools should implement mentorship and remedial classes for students who narrowly miss the cut-off points, offering them second chances.   Conclusion

Cut-off points in Senior High School admissions play a pivotal role in shaping educational outcomes. While they promote meritocracy and academic excellence, they also contribute to educational inequality and excessive pressure on students. To build a more equitable education system, policymakers must adopt a holistic approach that balances academic performance with broader measures of student potential. A reformed system will not only ensure fairness but also foster the holistic development of learners, paving the way for inclusive national development.

---

References

Ghana Education Service (2023). Annual Education Sector Performance Report. Accra, Ghana.
Mensah, J. & Boateng, K. (2020). "Equity and Access in Secondary School Admissions: A Case Study of Ghana." International Journal of Educational Development, 45(2), 112-128.
UNESCO (2022). Global Education Monitoring Report: Inclusion and Education. Paris, France.
Williams, P. (2021). "The Impact of Standardized Testing on Student Outcomes." Educational Research Quarterly, 34(3), 56-70.

Fire Outbreaks and Security Gaps: A Nation's Misplaced Priorities

In Ghana, countless communities face a glaring absence of essential services. Markets, often prone to fire outbreaks, operate without nearby fire stations, leaving livelihoods and lives at constant risk. Entire neighborhoods lack police presence, creating an environment of insecurity and vulnerability. A classic example is what has just happened to the people of Kantamanto. The whole market has been burnt down. 

Yet, in a puzzling twist of priorities, some individuals enjoy the privilege of having as many as 20 police officers and soldiers dedicated to their personal protection. This stark imbalance raises critical questions: Are our leaders truly addressing the needs of the people, or are we trapped in a cycle of misplaced priorities and inefficiency?

With fire outbreaks becoming increasingly common and security concerns mounting, it’s time to demand accountability and a governance system that prioritizes the safety and welfare of all citizens. Ghana deserves better.

By: Emmanuel Awedam

#awedam

#aisi