According to Ghana News Agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, a total of 532,891 subject results were withheld by WAEC, with 38,693 results canceled and 462 entire results annulled in the 2024 examination year alone. The previous year, 2023, saw even higher figures, with 587,001 results withheld, 59,433 canceled, and 658 entire results nullified. The statistics from 2022 and 2021 similarly reflected a continuation of this trend, with 2020 recording 3,235 results withheld, 10,496 canceled, and 510 entire results annulled.
Mr. Daniel Nii Dodoo, Head of Humanities at WAEC in Accra, presented these figures during the Volta/Oti stakeholder engagement in Ho. The event included Regional and District Directors of Education, security agencies, teacher unions, and other relevant organizations. Mr. Dodoo emphasized that examination malpractices pose a national security threat, undermining the integrity of the educational system and threatening societal stability.
He characterized the situation as a form of unethical behavior aimed at gaining unfair advantage during assessments, driven by socio-economic pressures, a culture of impunity, and inadequate regulatory frameworks. Mr. Dodoo warned that such malpractices compromise educational integrity, produce ill-prepared graduates lacking essential skills, and ultimately threaten national competitiveness and long-term development.
To combat this issue, Mr. Dodoo advocated for a collective approach involving the government, educational institutions, parents, communities, and students. He suggested multifaceted strategies, including strengthening regulatory frameworks, leveraging technology, engaging stakeholders, promoting ethical education, and implementing punitive measures. The government, through the Ministry and Ghana Education Service, must address the issue through policy development, resource allocation, and public awareness campaigns.
In an interview with Ghana News Agency, Mr. John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC in Accra, revealed responses from sessions across the country. Participants expressed strong opposition to the school ranking policy, suggesting its abolishment and equitable distribution of resources for examination monitoring. They also called for fairness in BECE placement.
Mr. Kapi emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including government, House of Chiefs, security services, Directors of Education, students, teachers, and Regional Managers of faith-based schools. He noted that examination cheating has become more networked and sophisticated, with tactics such as projecting answers, using mobile devices, introducing unauthorized materials, and setting up syndicates to solve questions.
WAEC is leveraging technology to combat these malpractices, piloting computer-based testing and considering personalized question papers with barcodes and traceable features for each candidate. Mr. Kapi mentioned that a revised rules and regulations document has been distributed, with District Directors of Education expected to educate candidates on the importance of avoiding cheating.
Madam Irene Jacquelinda Attabra, Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, acknowledged the daunting nature of the findings but expressed optimism that the issue could be addressed. She called on key actors to join efforts in combating examination malpractices.
During an open forum, participants suggested abolishing the 70 percent performance contract with school heads, ensuring prompt payment of invigilators' allowances, applying WAEC regulations uniformly, improving exam center accessibility, enforcing punitive measures for cheating, and raising awareness about the issue.
