Author: Shepherd Yaw Morttey

Did you also hear the numerous conspiracy theories linking 5G and COVID-19? Well, I personally had some very “respectable individuals” share conspiracy theory videos on how the 5G wireless service was causing the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.

In other parts of the world, it has moved from just theories to vandalism of telecom property and the abuse of their staff.

When it comes to 5G, conspiracy theorists and their followers claim the following:

1. 5G might suppress the immune system
2. Viruses can communicate through radio waves (5G)

The truth, however, is that none of these claims can be backed by any sort of evidence.

In fact, many experts have come out to specifically state that the two claims above are completely untrue.

The World Health Organisation has said that no research has linked exposure to wireless technology with negative health effects.

Some conspiracy theory videos and articles seem to match 3G, 4G and 5G to the SARS, swine flu and new coronavirus outbreaks. Although 3G, 4G and 5G were unrolled at similar dates to the SARS, swine flu and new coronavirus outbreaks, their start dates do not match.

Many countries without 5G infrastructure have reported coronavirus cases (even here in Africa). Another research by the Reuters Fact Check Team shows that there is no scientific evidence to connect mobile communication networks with the SARS, swine flu and coronavirus outbreaks.

England’s National Medical Director Stephen Powis has been widely reported in the media as saying, “The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish, it’s nonsense, it’s the worst kind of fake news.”

And that’s exactly what it is – Fake News.

Fake news that has been fueled and is gaining grounds because of the many uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keep in mind:

1. 5G does not suppress the immune system
2. Viruses (live COVID-19) cannot communicate through radio waves (5G)

Remember that, COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.  Read how to protect yourself against the pandemic, as you practice social distancing.

As part of measures to ensure transparency in the management of scholarships in the country, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, earlier this year, launched a new digital platform for the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to receive scholarship applications online.

The purpose of the online application process, which took effect from 1st April, is the following:

• to ensure full transparency in the application process
• to ensure easy auditing and
• to give applicants the opportunity to track their applications online.

Speaking at the launch of the online platform (scholarshipgh.com) at the Jubilee House, Vice President Bawumia said the new system would help capture accurate data of scholarship beneficiaries and track their academic progress.

He said the platform would ensure easy linkages between the scholarship secretariat and the universities as well as the various embassies for easy validation.

The embassies can now vary from the online platform before giving visa to scholarship beneficiaries to study abroad, he added.

“In just four easy steps, applicants can conveniently apply for scholarships from the comfort of their homes and receive instant feedback on the status of their application.”

Here at Mfidie.com, we walk you through the requirements for the platform and how you can also apply for the scholarship.

How to apply for a Scholarship using the online Application Process for Ghana

If you want to apply for a scholarship from the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, follow the steps below:

1. Open the web address www.scholarshipgh.com
2. Create an account on the portal to register and start the application
3. Complete the application form on the portal with your relevant details
4. Upload academic transcripts, admission letters, academic certificate and other necessary documentation in PDF
5. Complete the online aptitude test and be scheduled for a selection interview in your selected district.

What you need to apply for a scholarship in Ghana on the scholarshipgh.com site

Local Tertiary Scholarships

The Local Tertiary awards are in form payment of Thesis and Bursary grants to Postgraduate Students in the Public Tertiary Institutions in Ghana.

The award also covers payment of Disability Grants to the Physically Challenged Ghanaian Students in Tertiary Institutions and Long Stay Allowance for Medical Science students in Public Tertiary Institutions in the country.

To apply for this scholarship, you need the following:

1. Applicants should have the status below:
   1. Should have gained admission into a local tertiary institution
   2. Should have registered and enrolled to undertake the course
   3. The Institution should be accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB)
   4. Categories of Local Tertiary Institutions (Private and Public)
   5. Nurses/Teacher Training Colleges
      • Colleges of Agriculture
      • Polytechnics
      • Technical Universities
      • Universities
      • Certificate awarding tertiary institutions
2. Continuing students should apply online between 1St April – 15Th May of each academic year.
3. New students who had late admission should apply between 1st – 30th September of each academic year
4. Applicants will undertake an online aptitude test during the application process.
5. Appear before a panel for interviews in your selected district
6. The information of the applicant will be forwarded to the institutions of the applicant for confirmation and validation.
7. Electronic award letters will be issued to the successful applicants by the Scholarships Secretariat.
8. Payment of scholarship entitlements to respective institutions

Foreign Tertiary Scholarships

Foreign tertiary awards cover scholarships at the tertiary level of education in a foreign country. This is based on a Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Government of the awarding country.

Currently, the countries that fall under this category include:

1. Russia
2. Hungary
3. Algeria
4. China
5. Morocco
6. German Government Doctoral Programme (DAAD)

In addition to the above, the Commonwealth Secretariat also award scholarships to Ghanaian at the postgraduate level based on a multilateral arrangement between Ghana and Commonwealth member countries.

There are other countries awarding scholarships to Ghanaians without a counterpart funding from the Government of Ghana.

These countries are:

1. Australia Government Awards
2. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarships
3. Turkish Government Awards
4. Mauritius Government Scholarship

To apply for this scholarship, you need to have the following:

1. Information for existing beneficiaries: Existing foreign scholarship beneficiaries will be given a portal to enable them to renew their awards annually online.
2. Bilateral Applications: Prospective applicants for bilateral scholarship awards will be required to complete the online application upon confirmation of their awards by the awarding country.
3. Non-Bilateral Scholarship Awards: All applications for non-bilateral awards will be received online when advertised.

Contact the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat

If you need to ask any questions or make enquiries, you can contact the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat directly using the following medium:

Office Location
North Ridge, GES Council Building, located behind the Accra High School.
GA 028-2065

Phone
+233302962928, +233302962929, +233302962930, +233302962931

Email
[email protected]

The Ministry of Education has created an online study platform for all, Senior High School students.

All students in Senior High School are to visit the website and study online since schools are closed in response to the Coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

The iCampusGH.com platform gives students the opportunity to access all core subjects and selected electives, access to video lessons and lesson notes, access to virtual labs and simulations (in some instances) and access to online test after every lesson.

How to access the Online Study Platform for SHS Students in Ghana

1. Visit icampusgh.com
2. Enter your BECE index number as your username. Note: For SHS 3 students, add 17 to the index number E.g. 309074025 then 17 to read 30907402517.
3. Enter ghana@12345 as your default password and click on log in.
4. You will be required to change the default password before you can continue using the platform.
5. Click on View all courses to see the subjects available.
6. Click on any of the courses available and enrol.

Note: If you are experiencing slowness on the platform, it is because there may be more than expected users at the time.

The iCampusGH platform seems to still be a work in progress. We counted 19 courses overall available on the platform.

However, the “virtual lab” resources are particularly useful.

They are interactive flash quizzes that can help students learn “more practically” a few science concepts.

One particular feature I loved about the site was the ability to directly ask a teacher for help. If this works like intended, the platform will be much more useful.

However, it does not seem like the response from this help is instant as the communication appears to go through an email system.

How to change your iCampusGH account password

Once you log in, follow the following procedure to change your iCampusGH password:

1. On the login, interface enter your BECE index number as username and ghana@12345 as the default password.
2. Click on the login button
3. You will be greeted with a new interface that prompts you to change your password. Create a new password by entering the default password in the current password field
4. Then type your new password in the new password field.
5. Repeat your new password in the new password field (again)
6. Click on the Save changes button.
7. Your password is not changed and you can access the platform.

Benefits of the iCampusGH platform

According to the Ghana Education Service, the new online portal offers the following benefits:

1. Access to all core subjects and selected electives.
2. Access to video lessons and lessons notes.
3. Access to virtual labs and simulations (in some instances)
4. Access to online test after every lesson.

You need to use the Index Number you used in writing your BECE, even though you are currently in SHS.

This is because the BECE Index Number is the best way currently for identifying Senior High School students in Ghana who have not yet registered for their WASSCE examinations.

If you have any issues using the platform or have a problem with your password, kindly send an email to [email protected] clearly stating your problem and Index Number.