Fresh concerns are surfacing around Ghana’s Computerised School Placement System (CSSPS), this time coming from within the labour movement itself.
Richard Asamoah, General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union (CBMWU), has accused some individuals involved in the placement process of operating a bribery ring.
According to Asamoah, some officials are allegedly demanding between GHS 20,000 and GHS 35,000 from desperate parents to secure placements for their children in preferred senior high schools.
He shared this during an interview.
“Some parents have come to me privately and shared their stories, but they’re afraid to speak publicly. But we cannot keep quiet. If this continues, it could be more damaging than galamsey. These are children who passed their exams, yet their futures are being sold,” Asamoah said.
The CBMWU, affiliated with the Trade Union Congress, says it is ready to support a formal investigation and provide the necessary evidence to the Ministry of Education.
In response, Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Education Minister, confirmed that the Ministry is aware of the allegations.
He stated that while the placement system is merit-based, any credible report of corruption would be investigated.
“We need verifiable evidence to take action,” Mohammed said. “If Mr. Asamoah has such proof, we are willing to engage him directly.”
The Ministry is urging the public to report any suspicious demands during the placement process, while many Ghanaians call for deeper reforms to rebuild trust in the education system.
