Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Confronts CSSPS Fraud as Two Arrested in SHS Placement Bribery Scandal

The Ministry of Education has cracked down on fraudulent activities surrounding the 2026 Senior High School (SHS) placements, resulting in the arrest of two individuals at the National Resolution Centre in Accra. Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu intervened personally after receiving reports from victims, leading to the apprehension of 24-year-old Vicentia Appiah Antwi and 18-year-old Suzzy Owusu. The suspects are accused of soliciting bribes ranging from GH₵9,500 to GH₵22,000 from desperate parents and candidates under the guise of securing placements through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

During police interrogations, the suspects implicated two other individuals, Nana Yaw Boateng and Alex Asumani, who are currently being sought by law enforcement. The arrests follow a pattern of exploitation where fraudsters capitalize on the high demand for elite schools. The Ministry of Education has since reiterated that school placements are strictly merit-based and free of charge, urging the public to report any solicitation of funds to the authorities. While the arrested suspects have been granted police enquiry bail, investigations continue to uncover the full extent of the syndicate and its possible links to other placement irregularities.

Minister Iddrisu’s visit to the resolution centre also served to address legitimate grievances from parents, many of whom voiced concerns over the long distances between their homes and assigned schools. Acknowledging the pressure on the system due to a rising number of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, the Minister explained that the demand for "Category A" schools far exceeds available vacancies. To mitigate these challenges, he encouraged parents to accept placements in Category B and C schools, which he described as vital stepping stones to higher education that offer quality instruction despite being less sought after.

Looking forward, the Minister promised significant infrastructure investments to expand national capacity, including the construction of more high-demand schools to ease the annual placement bottleneck. He emphasized that the government remains committed to maintaining a transparent and equitable placement process through the CSSPS. As the 2026 admission cycle continues, the Ministry maintains a heightened state of vigilance against fraudulent actors, reminding the public that any attempt to circumvent the system through bribery carries severe legal consequences and undermines the integrity of Ghana's educational framework.