Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Joseph Azumah, has clarified his earlier comments regarding allegations that a parent paid GH¢30,000 to secure senior high school (SHS) placement for her child, explaining that he is yet to receive evidence to back the claim.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator confirmed that a woman had approached him to seek help with her child’s school placement.
“It is true that someone came to me to request help with the placement of her child. But I made it clear that politicians do not play any direct role in the placement process,” he said.
Mr. Azumah added that while he took the parent’s details, he did not make any promises but assured her he would see what he could do.
He recounted that a few days later, the woman returned, claiming she had paid GH¢30,000 to secure the admission through unofficial means.
“I asked her to provide the name of the school and other details as evidence so I could present them to the Education Minister, who has vowed to crack down on such illegality in the placement system,” he stated.
According to the MP, despite several attempts to convince the woman to share the evidence, she has since stopped responding to his calls.
“I don’t know whether she has blocked me because I haven’t been able to reach her again. She revealed the school to me, but I cannot publicly name it since she is reluctant to provide further details,” he added.
Mr. Azumah said he is unsure whether the money was collected within the school or at a placement centre, but believes the woman’s cooperation would have helped retrieve the funds and possibly secure her child’s placement lawfully.
“She could have helped to retrieve the money and even ensured that her child stayed in the school without any hindrance, but she is not willing to cooperate,” he lamented.
The Akrofuom MP reiterated his call for stronger oversight in the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to eliminate corruption and restore fairness in Ghana’s education sector.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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