NPP Communicator Alleges Political ‘Protocol’ in SHS Placements Process

By – Kate Atirago 

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Team in the Upper East Region, Samuel Akamah, has alleged that some elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are promising parents preferred Senior High School (SHS) placements for their wards in exchange for party membership cards

Mr. Akamah made the allegation while speaking on GBC URA RADIO’s “Politic SoSug”, a political discussion programme conducted in Kusaal and hosted by Kate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The discussion, held under the topic “SHS Placement Under Fire: Is Ghana’s Computerised Placement System Really Fair, or Has ‘Protocol’ and Bribery Hijacked Students’ Future?”, focused on concerns surrounding Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), including allegations of protocol admissions and other forms of influence

According to Mr. Akamah, parents seeking placement for their children in preferred SHS institutions were allegedly being approached with promises linked to NDC party membership

He presented the claim as evidence of concerns surrounding political influence in the school placement process

NDC Communicator Rejects Allegation

However, NDC Communication Team member Solomon Anambe strongly disagreed with the allegation and rejected the suggestion that the government’s revised BECE and SHS selection arrangements were designed to facilitate political patronage

Mr. Anambe argued that allowing Junior High School (JHS) students to complete the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) before selecting their preferred SHS could encourage students to work harder academically

He said students would have greater motivation to improve their examination performance because their results would help determine their chances of gaining admission to their preferred schools

According to Mr. Anambe, the new approach could therefore promote academic competition and encourage students to take their studies more seriously

Political Clash Over SHS Placement

The exchange between the two communicators has added a political dimension to the ongoing national debate over the fairness and transparency of SHS placement

While Mr. Akamah’s allegation raises questions about whether party affiliation could influence access to preferred schools, Mr. Anambe maintains that the new selection process should instead be viewed as a mechanism that can motivate students to achieve better BECE results

The debate also comes amid broader public concerns about “protocol” admissions, alleged bribery, parental pressure and whether the computerised placement system provides equal opportunities for students regardless of their political or social connections