Catholic priest found dead in his house at Doldol Parish

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is advocating for a 20% quota for Catholic students in mission schools across the nation. This measure, previously decided upon at their National Catholic Education Forum in 2025, aims to ensure a consistent number of Catholic pupils in religious education settings. Speaking in a statement, the Bishops emphasized that the 20% reservation is not a new request but an implementation of an already established policy.

They noted that this arrangement would allow Catholic missions to maintain a meaningful and balanced enrollment, preventing conflicts where parents seek admission for their children but are unable to secure places due to their unavailability. The Bishops stressed that this reservation is not intended to provide a private advantage or patronage to Catholic families.

Instead, they called for a transparent administration process overseen by the Boards of Governors and diocesan education offices, with regular audits and a prohibition against any form of monetary exchanges. They vowed that such a system must remain free from corruption or favoritism. Consequently, the Conference has tasked the National Catholic Secretariat’s education office with developing a comprehensive implementation plan.

Additionally, they are pushing for the resolution of the ongoing agreement between the government and the Churches regarding the management of mission schools, which should cover all aspects including admissions, governance, head teacher appointments, religious and moral formation, discipline, facilities, and accountability. The Bishops also called for a thorough review of the government’s computerized placement system, citing persistent concerns about its fairness and transparency.

They pointed out that while 604,567 candidates qualified for placement this year, only 527,932 were actually assigned seats, highlighting the need for a more equitable process. The Bishops also condemned the practice of parents being asked to pay for school placements and demanded an investigation into these allegations. Furthermore, they sought greater clarity on the rules governing “protocol” admissions, including the legal foundation, the number of places stipulated, the selection criteria, and the individuals responsible for these decisions.

They advocated for an independent review of the placement system, a more robust appeals process, and clearer communication to parents regarding the admission process. Ultimately, the Bishops’ goal is to establish a fair and transparent placement system where merit, choice, and the best interests of the child are the primary factors in determining admissions.