News Guide Africa

Tag: Haruna Iddrisu

  • Haruna Iddrisu, Eastwood Anaba, Prophet Kofi Oduro mourn with Dr. Apaak at dad’s funeral in Bolga

    Haruna Iddrisu, Eastwood Anaba, Prophet Kofi Oduro mourn with Dr. Apaak at dad’s funeral in Bolga

    Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, Founder of Fountain Gate Chapel, Eastwood Anaaba, and Founder of Alabaster Church in Accra, Prophet Kofi Oduro, are among high-profile figures who joined Dr. Clement Abas Apaak to mourn his late father at GNAT Hall – Bolgatanga in the Upper East region.

     

    The funeral is currently underway at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

     

    Many mourners from the seat of government, Members of Parliament (MP), the Regional Ministers, National Executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Ministry of Education Agencies and Departments, among other continue to throng the funeral grounds of Dr. Clement Abas Apaak’s late father in Bolgatanga.

     

    The death was announced in a statement signed by Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, the Deputy Education Minister, on behalf of the Apaak family.

     

    Mr. John Azundem Apaak, affectionately called Baba, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital at the age of 81, days after celebrating his birthday on October 25.

     

    In the statement, the family described the late Apaak as “a man of faith” and a devoted pastor of the Deeper Life Church in Bolgatanga, noting that church leadership had been formally informed of his passing.

     

    “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our beloved father… He passed on to glory earlier today,” the statement said, adding that the family was grateful for his life of service.

     

     

    The family appealed for privacy during the mourning period and urged the public to remember the immediate family in prayer. “We ask that you remember his wife, our 76-year-old mother, his grandchildren, and the five of us… in prayer,” the statement added.

     

    The funeral is currently underway at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga, with family members, friends, clergy, and political leaders gathering to pay their last respects.

     

    Leading the dignitaries in attendance is Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, who joined colleagues from government and Parliament to console Dr. Apaak and his family.

     

    Renowned spiritual leader Eastwood Anaaba, founder of Eastwood Anaba Ministries and Fountain Gate Chapel, was also present, offering prayers and support to the bereaved family.

     

    Well-known charismatic preacher and senior pastor of The Alabaster International Ministry, Prophet Kofi Oduro, joined the ceremony, reflecting the strong interdenominational ties built by the late Apaak during his years in ministry.

     

    Local and national government officials have thronged the venue, underscoring the esteem in which Dr. Apaak and his family are held, as tributes continue to highlight the late pastor’s commitment to faith, family and community service.

  • Free Sanitary Pad: Haruna Iddrisu corrects price miscalculation by Old Tafo MP

    Free Sanitary Pad: Haruna Iddrisu corrects price miscalculation by Old Tafo MP

    The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has clashed with Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah over the cost of sanitary pads under the government’s Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme.

     

    Assafuah had accused the government of overspending, citing budget figures that suggested each pack costs around GH¢45, far above the market price of GH¢15-25.

     

    However, Iddrisu dismissed Assafuah’s claims, stating that the government is actually procuring over 12 million sanitary pads, not 6.6 million as claimed. He accused Assafuah of doing “chop bar arithmetics” and presenting false information.

     

    The government allocated GH¢292 million for the programme, aiming to support over 2 million schoolgirls in basic and senior high schools. The initiative aims to improve menstrual hygiene, reduce absenteeism and promote girls’ education.

  • Gov’t pays GH₵994 per student to private schools under Free SHS – Min. of Education

    Gov’t pays GH₵994 per student to private schools under Free SHS – Min. of Education

    The Ministry of Education has pledged to pay GH₵994 per student annually to support private schools participating in this year’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.

    The commitment was announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools, formalising the inclusion of selected private SHSs in the Free SHS policy.

    Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu explained that the support, which is expected to benefit about 25,000 students, forms part of the government’s efforts to eliminate the double-track system in public schools.

    “The government is committed to providing a stipend to support the transition of that category of students moving into private schools—that’s negotiable, we’ll still discuss as and when,” he said.

    “But for a start, that’s the commitment we make to the Ghana National Council of Private Schools for this pilot inclusion of selected private schools in the provision of Free Senior High School education, as part of the government’s effort to end double track.”

    President of the Conference of Heads of Private Second Cycle Schools, I.K. Mensah, commended the government for the initiative and clarified the terms of the pilot programme.

    “And the caveat is that, for now, during this pilot system, he’s going to place only day schools to us by the payment of 994 Cedis for a child in private second-cycle schools,” he explained.

    He further noted that parents who wish to have their wards as boarders can make up the difference between the government’s payment and the school’s boarding fees.

    “Now, what is happening is that we know some private schools have different payments, different plans, and different payments for boarders and all that. So, if you are placed as a day student and you think your child comes from far and wants to access boarding facilities at that school, then you sit with the school and pay the difference between what the school is charging,” he said.

    “For example, if it’s 2,000, it means the government has already paid or is going to pay 994 for that child who has come there. It’s up to you, the parent and the school, to pay the difference of, let’s say, 1,060 Cedi so that the child becomes a full-time boarding student.

    So, what the government is giving us now is for day students, and they are to pay, or the government is going to pay, 994 Cedi for this pilot program.”

     

  • Gov’t to phase out double-track in SHSs

    Gov’t to phase out double-track in SHSs

    As part of the government’s effort to phase out the double-track system in senior high schools, the Education Ministry has a budget to spend GHC1.0 billion through the GETFund in 2026 on school infrastructure.

    This to help address critical long-standing infrastructure challenges facing schools across the country.

    “This funding will help us deal decisively with infrastructure deficits and ultimately tackle the double-track system,” Haruna Iddrisu has said during a working visit to the Upper East Region.

    As part of the visit, he stopped at the Zebilla Senior High Technical School to interact with WASSCE candidates and assess the impact of the Bawku conflict on academic activities.School supplies

    The minister urged the students to remain focused on their studies despite the difficult environment. “We need to say no to war, no to conflict. Education remains our surest bet to fight ignorance and poverty, so grab the opportunity and give it your best,” he said.

    In a symbolic move, he declined to wear a bulletproof vest offered to him, explaining: “I refused to put it on because a bulletproof jacket does not belong in an academic environment. It does not create the conducive atmosphere needed for learning to thrive.”

    Appealing for calm in Bawku, he stressed that peace is necessary to create the right environment for teaching and learning. “Lasting peace must be restored in Bawku so that the city can be rebuilt and a serene environment for education restored,” he noted.

    The minister also highlighted the challenges faced by students in conflict areas, pointing out that their disadvantaged conditions are not considered during examinations.

    “It is unfortunate that examiners will not consider the fact that students here did not have the serenity and peace of mind to learn, yet they will be graded equally with their counterparts in peaceful areas,” he said.

  • Education Minister wants teachers, invigilators be banned from mobile phone during exams

    The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the extension of the ban on mobile phone use in examination halls to include teachers and invigilators.

    Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new National Education Inspectorate Board, the Minister stressed the need to strengthen examination integrity and curb cheating in schools.

    “The idea of a student having access to phones in the examination room is a no-no. Probably, we have to even review this concept to include the usage of phones by examiners and supervisors,” he said.

    According to Mr. Iddrisu, there have been instances where some invigilators may have aided students in cheating during examinations, and as such, stricter controls are necessary.

    “In some instances of cheating, it may be some of them who are aiding the cheating; therefore, we have to limit who can carry a phone into an exam room,” he stated.

    While acknowledging that some examiners may require phones for official communication, such as calling for exam papers or filing reports, he insisted that any allowance must be met with strict enforcement.

    “I would have pronounced a complete ban on phone usage, but we have cases when examiners will have to call for exam papers or send a report. But we expect strict compliance and enforceability of this,” he added.

    Mr. Iddrisu emphasised that any invigilators found to be complicit in examination malpractice must be held accountable.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Mahama education reforms: Haruna Iddrisu highlights progress on 6 key initiatives 

    Hon Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education

     

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    As President John Mahama continues to execute his holistic approach to national development, his Education Minister has briefed the media on progress of major education sector reform initiatives.

     

     

    Haruna Iddrisu highlighted the leadership’s focus on inclusivity, innovation, and efficiency.

     

    Below are the key highlights:

     

    Stakeholder-Driven Reform

     

    The recent National Education Forum received over 2,000 proposals from stakeholders. According to the Minister, these contributions are actively shaping long-term education policy.

    Surge in Tertiary Portal Usage

     

    So far, 129,000 students have used the No-Fee-Stress digital platform, which streamlines tertiary application and funding processes. This, Mr. Iddrisu noted, has significantly reduced stress for students and parents.

     

    Support for Students with Disabilities

     

    The government has allocated GHS 7 million to cover fees for tertiary students with disabilities. This move reflects a stronger commitment to inclusive education.

     

    Local Production of Sanitary Pads

     

    All pads distributed under the Free Sanitary Pad Policy will be locally sourced. Moreover, a proposal is under review to establish a pad manufacturing facility within the Prisons Service to create jobs and ensure a consistent supply.

     

    SHS Feeding Budget Secured

     

    In the last six months, the government has released GHS 600 million to support feeding in Senior High Schools. This funding ensures continued student welfare across the country.

     

    Launch of National Research Fund

     

    A National Research Fund has been established, with an initial GHS 50 million disbursed through the GETFund. The initiative aims to boost research capacity in Ghana’s tertiary institutions.

     

    “These reforms demonstrate our unwavering commitment to building a resilient and forward-thinking education system,” Haruna Iddrisu affirmed.

     

  • Haruna is a ‘game changer in the north’ for NDC – Edudzi Tameklo extols

    Haruna is a ‘game changer in the north’ for NDC – Edudzi Tameklo extols

    Lawyer Edudzi Tamaklo writes…

     

    Hon HARUNA Iddrisu and the politics of the North

     

    Many years ago, on the University of Ghana campus, there was this very popular political program named, Legon Speaks.

     

    It was hosted at Legon Hall of the University of Ghana.

     

    My first encounter with the dynamite, Lawyer Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South. It was in the turbulent days of President Kuffour’s administration.

     

    This young MP was all over the place opposing Mr Kuffour.

    As a University student, it was a great delight watching him at the Legon Speaks against leading NPP politicians.

     

    Then came my involvement in NDC national politics and my direct association with him.

     

    Like every human leader, he had his own failings but overall, he was a good politician.

     

    When NDC was in power from 2009 to 2013, I was basically in law school and doing my politics predominantly within the Dome Kwabenya constituency.

     

    I didn’t get to interact with him more until in 2017, when the NDC went into opposition.

     

    Hon Haruna Iddrisu eventually became the leader of the opposition NDC caucus in Parliament. My engagements with him started from that period till now.*

     

    With admirable courage, he stabilized the front of the Minority Caucus and started subjecting the Akufo Addo administration to the fire of accountability and probity.

    He fought Speaker Mike Ocquaye even with Minority MPs of 106.

     

    In 2020, I had a call to represent some NDC interest in Northern region, precisely at the Zabzugu constituency during the voter registration exercise.

    I had to do Accra-Tamale-Accra on a few occasions.

     

    I was going to the High Court in Tamale to challenge some voter registration infractions.

    In the course of doing this case, I was working closely with the Regional Secretary, Salam.

     

    During this period, I encountered the real influence of the political colossus, Lawyer Aduna.

    He had enormous influence in shaping the politics of the NDC up north.

     

    I can without any equivocation detail how he single-handedly ensured that the NDC recovered the Savelugu seat.

     

    His efforts in ensuring we came out of the 2020 election with 9 seats.

    The NPP adopted the strategy of sending very resourceful CEOs and deputy ministers to some constituencies.

    Even with their resources, Lawyer Aduna matched them boot for boot.*

    Quite painful, we lost Gushegu and Karaga.

     

    I recall after the 2020 election, the NPP filed election petitions in Krachi West, Savelugu, Jomoro, Assin North among others.

     

    I was assigned the Jomoro and Krachi West petitions to defend.

    At every point, he will call to find out the progress of work on those petitions.

     

    Well, I successfully defended the two seats.

    Meeting him at the program organized by JM at UPSA, he wanted to know my honest opinion on the Jomoro seat.

     

    I assured him with the legal strategies deployed, we will retain the seat.

    He was visibly excited at the prospect.

     

    I am praying to Allah to calm him and for him to put everything behind him.

    That he will continue to hold the North for H.E John Mahama.

     

    So JM can get the time to focus on the other parts of the country. We need to prosecute multi pronged campaign.

     

    Lawyer Aduna with the support of the regional and constituency executives, obtain maximum votes for President Mahama and more parliamentary seats for the NDC.

     

    I am excited with the interventions from President John Mahama in this reshuffle impasse.

    Lawyer Aduna is a game changer in the North.

     

    With this said, we must rally around the leadership of Hon Cassiel Ato Forson to move the Minority Caucus to another level in our forward match to win the presidency in 2024.

    We make peace with our enemies, not our friends.

    We have one task ahead of us.

     

    Rescue this beautiful country from the misleader, Mr Akufo Addo and his political experiment, Dr BAWUMIA.

     

    Long live NDC.

    Aluta continua, victoria ascerta