The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that all Junior High School graduates who took the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are scheduled to begin their studies at Senior High and Technical Schools across the country on September 18, 2026.

In a statement released on Thursday, May 14, GES leadership congratulated the graduating students and confirmed that thorough preparations are in place to ensure a seamless entry into senior secondary education.

These preparations involve guaranteeing sufficient infrastructure, resources, and administrative assistance in schools to support all new students.

All candidates who qualify will be assigned to schools, according to the statement. Every attempt has been made to guarantee that every student has access to technical and senior high education.

The service responded to recent media reports indicating a potential risk of placement for approximately 72,000 students, characterizing these assertions as “speculative” and advising the public to dismiss them.

Additionally, the Ghana Education Service (GES) assured stakeholders that the ongoing process to discontinue the double-track system would not hinder students’ educational access.

Conversely, this reform is anticipated to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, while ensuring continued full access for all students.

The service reiterated its dedication to providing equitable, inclusive, and quality education for every Ghanaian child, requesting the support of parents, educators, and policymakers in achieving this national goal.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has suspended three pharmacies from participating in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over what it describes as suspected fraudulent claims and irregular service transactions.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, May 14, the NHIA announced that the affected facilities have been placed under “immediate temporary suspension” following a routine claims verification exercise.

The suspended pharmacies are DELDEM PHARMA LIMITED, PARAMEDICA PHARMACY and DESH CHEMIST.

According to the NHIA, the suspension takes effect on May 14.

The NHIA said investigations uncovered “material irregularities in claims and service transactions associated with these facilities”.

It added that the findings had “raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse under the NHIS Provider Service Agreement”.

As part of the suspension, the pharmacies will no longer be allowed to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS until further notice.

“The pharmacies are not permitted to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS during the suspension,” the statement said.

The NHIA has therefore advised NHIS members seeking pharmaceutical services to visit other accredited providers across the country.

“NHIS members who require pharmaceutical services are encouraged to seek care from other credentialed NHIS providers nationwide,” the NHIA stated.

The NHIA also issued a strong warning to all accredited healthcare providers, stressing that it would not tolerate practices that threaten the sustainability of the scheme.

“The Authority will not tolerate fraudulent or abusive practices that undermine the sustainability of the NHIS, which may deprive members of quality healthcare services,” the statement warned.

The Authority further reminded service providers of the legal consequences of defrauding the Scheme.

“A healthcare provider providing services under the National Health Insurance Scheme who defrauds or attempts to defraud the Scheme commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years or both,” the notice added.

The statement, signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to accountability and the proper use of public funds.

“The NHIA remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public funds in delivering accessible and quality healthcare to all residents of Ghana,” the statement said.

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