By: Issah Olegor
The Ministry of Education has launched urgent investigations into fresh allegations of bribery and manipulation within the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), following public outcry and damning revelations by a sitting Member of Parliament and a senior trade union activist.
In a strongly worded press release dated October 22, 2025, and signed by Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, the Ministry acknowledged “serious allegations of bribery” in the ongoing 2025 school placement exercise.
The statement followed media reports quoting the Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Joseph Azumah, who alleged that a constituent was asked to pay GH₵30,000 to secure admission for their ward into a preferred senior high school.
“Someone who knew I was an MP came to me at Community 16, where I live, and asked me to help their child gain admission. Within a week, the person came back with evidence showing they had paid GH₵30,000 to secure the placement. Why are we doing this to ourselves?” the MP reportedly lamented.
The Ministry described the claims as “grave” and confirmed that the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has convened an emergency meeting with National Security to investigate both Azumah’s revelations and similar allegations made by Richard Asamoah Mensah, Secretary of the Construction and Building Workers’ Union of the Ghana TUC.
According to the Ministry, the probe will be thorough and will target all individuals—whether ministry staff, intermediaries, or external agents—found to have tampered with or monetised the CSSPS process.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that it is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness in the school placement process,” the statement emphasized.
“Any individual found to have engaged in acts of bribery, extortion, or manipulation will face the full rigours of the law.”
The Ministry also urged the MP, Azumah, Asamoah Mensah, and any other persons with credible evidence to cooperate fully with National Security to ensure accountability.
Minister Iddrisu Hints At Scrapping the CSSPS
Meanwhile, the ongoing scandal has reignited debate over the future of the 20-year-old Computerised School Selection and Placement System, with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu hinting that the government may abolish or overhaul the entire model.
Speaking during a working visit to Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon on October 20, 2025—just two days before the Ministry’s statement—Iddrisu expressed discontent over what he called “systemic failures” in the school placement process.
“Some parents are unhappy, justified. Some students are unhappy, justified,” he admitted. “They chose Science but were placed in General Arts or Business. That would discourage even the most hardworking child.”
