Media Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, Hashmin Mohammed, has stated that the ministry found no evidence to support claims of bribery in this year’s Senior High School (SHS) placements.
Over the week, allegations surfaced on social media that placement into Aburi Girls’ Senior High School was being sold for GH¢5,000, sparking public outrage and calls for investigation. Some parents also claimed schools and officials had demanded similar amounts before granting admission to their wards.
Responding to the matter on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, September 27, 2024, Mr. Mohammed said investigations conducted by the ministry, with the involvement of national security agencies, did not establish any case of bribery.
“I think prior to the placement itself, we ran a media campaign to educate the public that the BECE placement is free of charge. You need not pay any money to any person, whether a Ministry of Education official or a third party, and so far, issues that have emerged with regard to bribery, we have investigated all of them and we have realised that there is no evidence,” he explained.
“I think some people are trying very hard to formulate a conspiratorial narrative to make it look like the BECE placement system is for sale,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed further urged members of the public to come forward with concrete evidence to assist in ongoing investigations.
“We are still calling on the general public, if you have any evidence that you have paid money to any official at the Ministry of Education or a third party, bring it forward,” he appealed.
