Dr. Clement Apaak, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Education Committee, has disclosed that the Education Minister has failed to update the Committee on the implementation of free Wi-Fi in Senior High Schools, despite being responsible for oversight.
He announced that the Committee will take measures to summon Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to appear before Parliament to answer questions and provide clarification on the government’s free Wi-Fi to Senior High Schools initiative.
Dr. Clement Apaak warned that if Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum refuses to appear before the Parliamentary Education Committee, he will be summoned to appear before the full Parliament (plenary) to answer questions regarding the free Wi-Fi promise for Senior High Schools.
“As a member of the Education Committee, I have not seen a contract, we did not know the company that the government had awarded the contract to… I felt it was my responsibility to seek this information from the Minister since the government through the Minister has not volunteered to bring this contract and even this policy through the Education Committee for informational purposes.”
“As we speak, if not for the benevolence of the Fourth Estate, I would never have become aware that the contract that the government signed was a five-year contract”.
Dr. Clement Apaak
Furthermore, Dr. Apaak stated that for three years, he has been relentlessly seeking clarification from the Minister regarding the free Wi-Fi deal, but his efforts have been met with silence and a lack of response, despite his persistent pursuit of answers.
Dr. Apaak stressed the importance of a swift resolution and called for the Minister to be more transparent in their handling of the situation, highlighting the necessity for clarity and accountability in the matter.
Dr. Apaak reaffirmed the Minority’s unwavering dedication to ensuring that all individuals implicated in the free Wi-Fi deal are held accountable and that the lingering questions and concerns surrounding the contract are thoroughly addressed and resolved.
Dr. Apaak emphasized that the Minister’s persistent refusal to address the issue has amplified the necessity for a rigorous and transparent investigation, which is now more crucial than ever.
Wi-Fi Promise Falls Short: 78% of Senior High Schools Left Unconnected
Meanwhile, Africa Education Watch’s Senior Program Manager, Divine Kpe, disclosed that a recent survey conducted by the organization showed a significant disparity in the implementation of the free Wi-Fi promise, with a staggering 78% of Senior High Schools lacking functional Wi-Fi connections, despite having the necessary infrastructure and devices installed on their premises.
Divine Kpe pointed out that the significant expenditure on installing Wi-Fi devices in schools, which are now non-functional, has yielded no tangible benefits, indicating a gross mismatch between the investment and the outcomes.
As such, he questioned the value for money in the government’s contract with Busy Internet Service for the Wi-Fi project.
“For some schools… they mentioned that right after installation, within three months their Wi-Fi has been down. Some for a year, have no Wi-Fi… there have been instances in schools where services are not being provided yet their invoices have been validated, and payment settled”.
Divine Kpe
Divine Kpe highlighted that the payment made for non-existent Wi-Fi services raises serious concerns about the competence and thoroughness of the validation committee responsible for overseeing the project, casting doubt on their ability to ensure value for money and effective implementation.
He stated that following their survey, Africa Education Watch requested that the Auditor General conduct a comprehensive performance audit report on the entire Wi-Fi project, seeking a thorough examination of the project’s execution, expenditure, and outcomes, to hold stakeholders accountable and ensure transparency.
He revealed that the Auditor General has completed the performance audit report on the Wi-Fi project, and the only outstanding step is the publication of the report, which will make the findings and recommendations available to the public, shedding light on the project’s performance and any potential irregularities.
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