Two arrested over alleged GH¢22,000 SHS placement scam

Two people have been arrested in Accra for allegedly collecting large sums of money from parents and BECE graduates on the promise of securing placement into their preferred senior high schools through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

The suspects have been identified by the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as 24-year-old graduate Vicentia Appiah Antwi and 18-year-old unemployed Suzzy Owusu.

According to the CID, the two allegedly collected between GH¢9,500 and GH¢22,000 from each victim, with the amount depending on the school the victim wanted to attend.

The suspects reportedly mentioned two other people as their accomplices. They were identified as Nana Yaw Boateng, described as “a supposed medical doctor” based in Kumasi, and Alex Asumani, also known as Lexus.

The police said the suspects were interrogated, cautioned and detained for 24 hours before being granted bail yesterday to a credible surety. The arrangement, according to the CID, was intended to facilitate efforts to trace and arrest the alleged main culprits.

“Statements have also been obtained from the two victims and their parents.

The accomplices were informed to report to the unit to assist in the investigation,” the statement said.

The arrests were carried out at about 1:30 p.m. by a team from the Ministry of Education following directives from the sector minister, Haruna Iddrisu.

A separate statement from the Ministry of Education said the case came to the minister's attention after two BECE candidates, who are twins, reported that they had allegedly been lured into paying money in return for assistance with their senior high school placement.

The ministry said the candidates provided evidence to support their allegations. After reviewing the information, the minister notified the relevant security authorities, resulting in the arrest of the suspects at the Resolution Centre.

Ministry warns against paying for placement

The Ministry of Education said the arrests were part of efforts to protect students and parents from people attempting to take advantage of the CSSPS placement exercise.

“The ministry reiterates that placement through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is free, and no parent or student should pay money to anyone in exchange for placement.

“The ministry is urging parents, students and the general public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of extortion, fraud or attempts to manipulate the placement process to the appropriate authorities,” it said.

The ministry also warned that people who seek to exploit parents and students anxious about securing placement would be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law.

The government has repeatedly stressed that placement into second-cycle institutions under the CSSPS is free and has cautioned parents and students against paying individuals who claim they can influence the process.

604,567 candidates qualify for placement

The arrests come after the release of this year's CSSPS placement results, which saw 604,567 BECE graduates qualify for placement into senior high schools, senior high technical schools and technical and vocational institutions across the country.

Of the total number of qualified candidates, 527,932 have successfully secured placement, representing approximately 87.3 per cent.

Female candidates accounted for 276,521 of those successfully placed, while 251,411 were males.

“This represents significant progress and demonstrates the government's commitment to expanding access to secondary education and ensuring that every Ghanaian child has the opportunity to continue their education,” Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, said at a press conference in Accra.

The placement figures also showed strong demand for Category A schools, which attracted the highest number of first-choice selections.

A total of 313,283 candidates chose Category A schools as their first choice, while 176,614 selected Category B schools. Another 123,577 candidates opted for Category C schools, with 995 selecting participating private SHSs and SHTSs.