General News of Wednesday, 3 October 2001

Source: GNA

Substantiate bribery allegation - Education Director

The Central Regional Director of Education, Ms Lydia Osei on Tuesday challenged the parent, who claimed she paid three million cedis bribe before her ward was admitted to the Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, to substantiate the allegation.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast in reaction to the allegation published in an Accra daily and read as part of the newspaper review by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on Tuesday morning, Ms Osei said it is "unbelievable" for someone to pay that much as bribe for her ward to gain admission and pay a fee of just 640,000 cedis a term.

She explained that it was only when the parent had provided the necessary proof that her office could bring the culprit to book, to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr Crosby Eshun, Headmaster of the school, denied the allegation and said: "The GES and the Methodist Church have confidence in me and I will not do anything that will soil their good image."

He also challenged the parent to come out boldly to identify the one who collected the money.

The school authorities declared their intention during the two-day exercise to select candidates on the September 13 and reduce this year's intake from 500 to 450 to improve discipline and check over crowding that has put pressure on facilities.