A concerned educationist Ɔpanyin Wireko, has called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adopt bold reforms to safeguard the integrity of examinations in Ghana. His appeal follows WAEC’s recent move to invite some 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates for interrogation over alleged copy work during the exams.
Ɔpanyin Wireko described examination malpractice as a “cancer” eating deep into Ghana’s education system, stressing that if the trend is not checked, it will undermine the credibility of certificates issued by WAEC and weaken the values of discipline, honesty, and merit among students.
In a statement addressed to WAEC Headquarters in Accra, the educationist outlined five key measures that he believes can help eradicate cheating in schools.
First, he urged WAEC to improve the allowances of invigilators, supervisors, and security officers. He explained that when exam officials are poorly paid, they become susceptible to bribery and undue influence from parents, school authorities, and candidates. Adequate remuneration, he argued, will motivate invigilators to remain firm and committed to their duties.
Second, Ɔpanyin Wireko recommended that WAEC should install surveillance cameras at all examination centers to ensure real-time monitoring from its headquarters. He said the cameras would serve as both a deterrent and a tool to gather evidence against culprits engaged in malpractice.
Third, he called for a review of the current school grading and ranking system, noting that the pressure on schools to outperform one another often pushes teachers and students into unethical practices. According to him, discussions between WAEC, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are necessary to find a sustainable solution.
Fourth, he suggested that students should not be allowed to write examinations in their own schools. Assigning candidates to different centers, he said, would reduce familiarity and limit the possibility of collusion between candidates and school authorities.
Finally, Ɔpanyin Wireko proposed that WAEC should introduce a special uniform for invigilators and supervisors, just as Electoral Commission staff wear during elections. Such uniforms, he explained, would make invigilators more visible, prevent impersonation, and promote accountability at the examination centers.
The educationist stressed that implementing these reforms will help restore public trust in Ghana’s examination system and ensure that success is based on hard work rather than shortcuts.
“Examination malpractice does not only rob hardworking students of their efforts but also produces a generation of graduates who lack the values of honesty and diligence. If we want to secure a brighter future for our children and our nation, then WAEC must lead the charge to stop cheating now,” he emphasized.
His recommendations add to ongoing calls from education stakeholders for stricter reforms and collaboration among WAEC, government, and communities to protect the sanctity of Ghana’s examination process.
