E/R: COHBS Holds 2nd Quadrennial Conference in Kibi

 

The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS), Eastern Region, has successfully held its 2nd Quadrennial Conference at the Greenery Site Auditorium in Kibi on Thursday, 20th November 2025. The event, themed “Empowering Heads, Enhancing Education Leadership for Quality Basic Education,” brought together key stakeholders in the basic education sector to discuss leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of school heads in strengthening Ghana’s educational system.

The programme was chaired by Osabarima Marfo Kwabrane, Abontendomhene of Kyebi, with distinguished guests including Nana Adu Asare Sarpong Addo-Aikins, Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South, and Hon. Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, who served as Special Guest of Honour.

In his remarks, the Eastern Regional Chairman of COHBS, Mr. Sadick Abubakar, expressed concern over what he described as government’s neglect of responsibility allowances for staff from Director I upwards who perform additional administrative duties. He also highlighted the recurring difficulty in gathering data from schools to build a reliable regional data system, lamenting that collating data “is like asking a camel to go through the eye of a needle,” a situation he said is affecting the work of COHBS executives.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South, Hon. Addo-Aikins, also addressed the gathering and raised serious concerns about the harmful impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on education in the municipality. He noted that some schoolchildren are abandoning classrooms for mining activities, a development that is negatively affecting academic performance. He further highlighted the rising use of illicit drugs among the youth, which is contributing to poor school enrollment, declining discipline, and reduced academic outcomes. He called for stronger community vigilance, closer collaboration between schools and local stakeholders, and intensified engagement to protect children and improve education.

Hon. Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, in his speech, emphasized the vital role of headteachers in driving quality education, noting that strong leadership is necessary for effective teaching, improved discipline, and the successful implementation of national reforms. He acknowledged the challenges headteachers face, including limited resources, teacher management issues, and community-related pressures, but commended their resilience and dedication. He also highlighted educational initiatives in his constituency such as the Kingsley Spelling Bee, Science and Mathematics Quiz, and the upcoming Akosua Agyeiwaa Memorial Teacher Awards, all aimed at motivating teachers and learners. Dr. Agyemang called for deeper collaboration among stakeholders and renewed commitment to empowering school leaders to help build a brighter future for Ghana’s children.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Salifu A. Nuhu, Vice Chairman of COHBS, commended government efforts in improving education but also highlighted several pressing challenges. These, he said, include unpaid responsibility allowances for headteachers, inadequate facilities in rural schools, the absence of teachers’ quarters, and low motivation and incentives for both headteachers and teachers. He urged the government to address these concerns to enhance effective teaching and learning.

By : GEORGE BOTHA