Concerned Citizens of Adansi have petitioned His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, over the prolonged closure and interruption of academic activities at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, popularly known as Obuasi SecTech or OSECTECH.

In the petition dated September 8, 2026 and addressed to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the group appealed for the swift conclusion and appropriate public clarification of investigations into recent disturbances at the school, as well as the establishment of interim leadership and the immediate restoration of academic activities.

The petitioners said they approached the Asantehene with respect and an appeal for his intervention, guidance and support in finding a fair, peaceful and speedy resolution to the situation affecting the school.

They acknowledged the seriousness of allegations that have entered the public domain and stressed the need for the appropriate security, educational, administrative and judicial institutions to investigate the matter thoroughly, impartially and professionally.

The group made it clear that its petition was not intended to interfere with investigations, shield anyone from accountability or determine the guilt or innocence of any person.

According to the petition, serious disturbances reportedly occurred at Obuasi Senior High Technical School in August 2026 following allegations made by some students against the school’s Headmaster, Mr Abdulai Zakaria.

The petition referenced reports surrounding the discovery of a fetus in a bushy area at or near the school compound. Some students were reportedly said to have alleged that the headmaster had information concerning, or was connected to, circumstances surrounding the alleged burial.

The petition also referred to other publicly reported allegations involving ritual activities and inappropriate relationships between the headmaster and some female students.

According to the concerned citizens, the allegations generated considerable tension and eventually resulted in a violent confrontation on the school campus.

The Ghana Police Service subsequently intervened and commenced investigations into the allegations and the disturbances.

The petition further stated that reports indicated that the relevant area was secured and the remains retrieved for preservation and forensic examination.

The Ministry of Education was also said to have directed the Ghana Education Service to investigate the disturbances and apply appropriate disciplinary measures against persons found culpable.

The petitioners, however, stressed that all the issues referenced remain allegations and publicly reported claims, adding that neither Mr Abdulai Zakaria nor any other person should be declared guilty outside due process.

Call for public clarification

The Concerned Citizens of Adansi said the continuing uncertainty surrounding the matter had created anxiety among students, parents, guardians, old students, traditional authorities, educational stakeholders and the wider public.

They therefore appealed for appropriate public clarification on the status and progress of the investigations, where such information could legally be disclosed.

The group acknowledged that information that could compromise an ongoing criminal investigation may not be released immediately, but argued that responsible communication on matters that can safely be made public could help reduce rumours, restore confidence and reassure affected families.

The petitioners also raised concerns about the prolonged closure of the school, arguing that thousands of innocent students were losing valuable instructional time because of allegations involving specific individuals.

They maintained that accountability should be individualised and that students should not collectively suffer as a result of allegations against particular persons.

Concern over final-year students

The petitioners expressed particular concern about final-year students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

They said the loss of teaching, revision, supervision and examination preparation could put the students at an academic disadvantage through no fault of their own.

They therefore called for urgent measures to protect the students’ preparation and recover the instructional time lost as a result of the disruption.

The group also raised concerns about students who have newly been placed at Obuasi SecTech for the new academic year.

It said that while students placed in other schools were proceeding with admissions and preparations, parents whose children had been placed at Obuasi SecTech remained uncertain about admission arrangements.

With newly admitted students expected to report between September 18 and September 20, 2026, the petitioners said timely information and appropriate arrangements were necessary to prevent the affected students from being disadvantaged at the beginning of their Senior High School education.

Call for interim leadership and reopening

The Concerned Citizens of Adansi also appealed for competent interim leadership or another suitable administrative arrangement to be considered where necessary.

According to the group, such an arrangement could help restore stability, discipline, confidence, security and effective management at the school while investigations continue independently.

The petitioners argued that accountability and education can proceed simultaneously, stressing that investigations should not prevent authorities from taking practical steps to protect the educational future of innocent students.

They called for appropriate public clarification on the status and progress of the investigations where legally permissible, while urging that all investigations and legal processes continue independently, impartially and professionally without interference.

They further called for anyone found culpable after due process to face the appropriate criminal, disciplinary or administrative sanctions.

The group also appealed for interim leadership or administrative arrangements where necessary, immediate steps towards the safe and orderly reopening of the school, and measures to protect the educational rights, welfare, safety and dignity of innocent students.

The petitioners want final-year students to receive urgent academic support to recover lost instructional time and adequately prepare for their examinations.

They also called for clear admission arrangements for newly placed students and their parents, alongside appropriate security, counselling, disciplinary and welfare measures when the school reopens.

The group urged all relevant authorities to act with urgency to ensure that the prolonged interruption of education does not irreparably affect the students.

Appeal to Otumfuo

The petitioners reiterated that they were not calling for the abandonment of investigations or protection for anyone who may eventually be found culpable.

Instead, they said their main concern was that while justice takes its course, thousands of innocent students should not be deprived of their education.

They warned that the continued closure threatens the academic progress of students, the preparation of final-year candidates and the admission of newly placed students, while also affecting the sacrifices made by parents and guardians.

They described the matter as a concern not only for individual families but also for the wider Adansi community and stakeholders committed to education.

The petitioners therefore appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to use his good offices to encourage the relevant authorities to act decisively, expeditiously and responsibly in the interest of the affected students.

The petition was signed by AC Nature, President of the Concerned Citizens of Adansi; Sammy Kofi Koduah, Vice President; and Mohammed Rahman, General Secretary.

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Adansihene and the Adansi Traditional Council, the Dompoasehene and Dompoase Divisional Council, the Akrokeri Hema and Akrokeri Traditional Council, as well as the Edubiase Divisional Council.

The petitioners ended their appeal by stressing the need for justice and accountability while calling for innocent students to be allowed to return to the classroom.

8TH SEPTEMBER 2021

The National Sand and Stone and Tipper Drivers Association (NSSTD) has opposed a proposed increase in sand and gravel loading charges by NASSTTU Sand Winners, describing the move as unfair and excessive.

In a statement issued on September 11, 2026, the association said any adjustment to the existing loading charges should first be discussed and agreed upon through a round-table meeting involving all relevant stakeholders.

The NSSTD said representatives from the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Minerals Commission were present at a meeting where the parties reached a verbal understanding to engage in further discussions before any changes were implemented.

The association is therefore calling on the relevant authorities to intervene promptly to prevent the disagreement from escalating.

The NSSTD has also expressed concern over reports that some of its members have allegedly been assaulted and harassed by NAIMOS officers while carrying out their lawful duties.

It has called on the Minerals Commission to conduct a thorough audit and review of the pricing structure being imposed by NASSTTU Sand Winners, insisting that the process must protect truck drivers, customers and the general public from arbitrary and excessive charges.

The association said it remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of its members, customers and end users.

It added that it would continue to pursue lawful and peaceful avenues to challenge what it considers unfair treatment, unjustified increases, intimidation and harassment of tipper truck drivers.

The NSSTD is asking the appropriate authorities to suspend and review the proposed increase in sand and gravel loading charges and investigate allegations of assault, intimidation and harassment involving tipper truck drivers.

It is also demanding an audit of the pricing structure imposed by NASSTTU Sand Winners and wants all charges imposed on truck drivers and customers to be lawful, transparent and reasonable.

The association has further called for measures to prevent what it describes as unlawful harassment and extortion of tipper truck drivers.

It is also urging all stakeholders to return to the round-table discussion process to resolve the matter peacefully and fairly.

According to the NSSTD, dialogue, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law remain the best means of resolving the dispute.

The association has therefore appealed to the relevant authorities to act swiftly in the interest of tipper truck drivers, customers and the wider construction industry.

The statement was issued by the National Sand and Stone and Tipper Drivers Association.

The association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Anthony Mensah, and the Regional Vice Chairman for Tema, Alhaji Kowanaso, signed the statement on the association’s behalf.

COMMUNIQUE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

For many Ghanaians, the sound of the pestle hitting the mortar is inseparable from the preparation of a steaming bowl of fufu.

But as technology has transformed the way the popular dish is prepared, fufu machines have increasingly replaced the traditional “tim-tim” method in homes, chop bars and commercial food joints.

The machines have brought speed and convenience. Yet experts and recent studies are raising concerns that poorly designed, poorly maintained or poorly cleaned machines could create serious food-safety and operator-safety risks.

The machine that made fufu easier

There is little doubt that mechanised fufu preparation has made life easier for many people.

Traditional pounding can be physically demanding and time-consuming, while machines can process fufu much faster and reduce the physical labour involved.

That convenience has helped the technology spread, particularly in urban areas where commercial food vendors serve large numbers of customers.

But convenience, experts say, should not come at the expense of safety.

Bacteria may be hiding inside

One of the biggest concerns is hygiene.

A 2023 study of food milling machines in Ghana found that the machines could harbour pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella and Shigella. Researchers examined 55 food milling machines in the Asante Mampong Municipality and found that fufu pounding machines recorded the highest total number of bacterial isolates in the study.

More recent research in Somanya has reached a similar warning: fufu machines recorded particularly high bacterial contamination, with researchers pointing to food residues and inadequate cleaning as possible contributors.

The problem is partly linked to the nature of fufu itself.

Its sticky, paste-like consistency can leave residues around grinding chambers and outlets, creating places where microorganisms can survive and multiply if the equipment is not properly dismantled and cleaned.

The hidden problem inside the machine

Recent concerns from an agricultural engineering expert have added another dimension to the debate.

Ing. Prof. Francis Kumi of the University of Cape Coast has warned that some locally fabricated agro-processing machines are produced without clear standards covering food-contact materials, hygiene, performance and operator safety.

According to him, rough welds, cracks, poorly finished surfaces and difficult-to-reach areas can trap food particles and make proper cleaning difficult.

That means a machine may look clean from the outside while food residues remain hidden in internal components.

Exposed moving parts can turn dangerous

The risks are not limited to the food.

Experts have also pointed to exposed belts, pulleys, chains and rotating shafts on some locally fabricated machines as potential sources of serious injuries to operators.

This is particularly concerning in busy food-processing environments where operators work quickly and may have to handle food close to moving mechanical parts.

A machine designed to save time and energy can therefore become dangerous if basic engineering and safety standards are ignored.

What about the metal parts?

Questions have also been raised over the materials used in the construction of some machines.

Prof. Kumi has cautioned against inappropriate use of materials such as mild steel and galvanised steel on food-contact surfaces, noting that corrosion, deterioration of coatings and poor finishing can create food-contamination concerns.

However, it is important not to conclude that all fufu machines are unsafe.

The danger depends heavily on the machine’s design, the materials used, maintenance and, critically, how well it is cleaned and operated.

The real danger may be poor maintenance

A properly designed machine that is regularly dismantled, cleaned and maintained is very different from one that is allowed to accumulate food residue day after day.

Research from Ghana has found worrying gaps in hygiene practices among some food-milling operators. In one recent Somanya study, none of the operators reported washing the machines with soap after each milling session, while many did not wash their hands with soap between successive milling activities.

That creates a potential pathway for contamination from one batch of food to another.

So, should Ghanaians stop using fufu machines?

Not necessarily.

The evidence points more strongly towards the need for proper standards, safer designs, regular maintenance and strict hygiene practices rather than abandoning mechanised fufu preparation altogether.

Experts have called for stronger collaboration between institutions including the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, universities and professional engineering bodies to establish and enforce practical standards for agro-processing machines.

For consumers, choosing food vendors who maintain visibly clean processing environments is also important.

For operators, machines should be thoroughly cleaned, food-contact surfaces should be suitable for food processing, damaged components should be repaired or replaced, and exposed moving parts should be properly guarded.

Tradition meets technology

The fufu machine was created to solve a very Ghanaian problem: the hard work involved in preparing one of the country’s favourite meals.

But technology is only beneficial when it is safe.

The lesson is not that the old mortar and pestle are automatically safer, nor that every machine is dangerous. Instead, it is a reminder that speed and convenience must go hand in hand with food hygiene, proper engineering and responsible maintenance.

Because behind every smooth bowl of fufu is a process — and if that process is poorly managed, the very machine designed to make life easier could quietly become a source of trouble.

The battle for the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) crown is not only about national pride and academic bragging rights, as the three finalists are also set to compete for an impressive package of rewards.

PRESEC-Legon, St Augustine’s College (AUGUSCO) and Accra Academy are the three schools that reached the grand finale, with several major incentives announced ahead of the highly anticipated showdown. Reports on the rewards indicate that the packages include GH¢120,000, scholarships and foreign trips.

The 2026 finale, held on September 10, brought together three of Ghana’s most celebrated second-cycle institutions in a contest that generated huge excitement among students, old students, parents and education enthusiasts.

GH¢120,000 up for grabs

Among the headline rewards is a GH¢120,000 cash package associated with the competition, adding another major incentive to an already fiercely contested academic battle.

The financial reward has further heightened interest in the contest, with old students and supporters rallying behind their respective schools as the finalists prepared to fight for national glory.

Scholarships add to the prize bonanza

The rewards go beyond cash.

Scholarship opportunities have also been lined up for students connected to the finalist schools. Accra Academy, in particular, was reported to have secured a full scholarship package, while other rewards were also announced in connection with the competing schools.

The scholarship offers mean that the benefits of the NSMQ final could extend well beyond the quiz itself, potentially supporting the academic ambitions of the students who have represented their schools on the national stage.

Foreign trips and vacation packages

The finalists also had foreign travel and vacation opportunities to look forward to, making the 2026 edition one of the most rewarding NSMQ finales in recent memory.

Starr FM reported that scholarships, GH¢120,000 and vacation opportunities were among the rewards awaiting the finalists, with old students also mobilising support for their respective schools.

The prospect of international travel adds another exciting dimension to the competition, giving the young contestants an opportunity to experience destinations and cultures beyond Ghana.

PRESEC, AUGUSCO and Accra Academy battle for glory

The three finalists entered the grand finale with different ambitions.

PRESEC-Legon was chasing another historic triumph after establishing itself as the dominant force in NSMQ history.

St Augustine’s College, popularly known as AUGUSCO, arrived with its own strong tradition and a determination to upset the favourites.

Accra Academy, meanwhile, sought to write its own chapter in the history of the competition by overcoming two highly decorated opponents.

The grand finale was therefore more than a quiz. It was a battle of academic excellence, school pride and history, with substantial rewards waiting at the finish line.

More than just a trophy

With cash, scholarships and travel opportunities on the table, the 2026 NSMQ finale offered the finalists much more than the coveted trophy.

For the students, it represented an opportunity to turn months of preparation, intense competition and academic discipline into rewards that could have a lasting impact on their educational journeys.

For the schools and their old students, it was another chance to demonstrate the strength of their academic traditions on Ghana’s biggest science and mathematics stage.

Three schools. Three brilliant teams. One coveted crown — and a remarkable package of rewards awaiting the stars of NSMQ 2026.