An educationist Ɔpanyin Wireko, has appealed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adopt stringent reforms to curb the rising menace of examination malpractice in Ghana. His call follows WAEC’s recent invitation of some 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates for interrogation after they were suspected of engaging in copy work during the exams.
According to Ɔpanyin Wireko, examination malpractice continues to dent the credibility of Ghana’s education system and undermines the future of students. He noted that while WAEC has been working tirelessly to ensure fairness, additional proactive measures are required to protect the integrity of examinations.
In a press release issued to WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ɔpanyin Wireko outlined five practical interventions that, in his view, can help address the situation:
First, he urged WAEC to pay invigilators, supervisors, and security personnel better allowances in order to minimize the temptation of being influenced by candidates, parents, or school authorities. He argued that low remuneration makes some officials vulnerable to corruption, which eventually compromises the examination process.
Second, he proposed the installation of surveillance cameras in all examination centers, with direct monitoring from WAEC’s headquarters. This, he explained, will serve as both a deterrent and an evidence-gathering tool to track and punish culprits engaged in malpractice.
Third, Ɔpanyin Wireko called on WAEC to reconsider the grading of schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES). He stressed that ranking schools by performance often places undue pressure on students, teachers, and headmasters, compelling them to resort to cheating in order to maintain a good public image.
Fourth, he recommended that candidates should not be allowed to write examinations in their own schools. Instead, WAEC should assign them to different examination centers. This, he said, would reduce familiarity and collaboration among candidates and teachers during exams, thereby ensuring fairness.
Finally, the educationist suggested the introduction of a WAEC uniform for invigilators and supervisors, similar to how Electoral Commission staff wear official identification during elections. He explained that this would not only make invigilators easily identifiable but also enhance discipline and accountability during the exercise.
Ɔpanyin Wireko emphasized that implementing these measures would restore confidence in Ghana’s examination system and protect the future of students. He added that stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and government, must support WAEC in the fight against malpractice.
“Examination malpractice destroys the moral fiber of our society and creates a generation of students who do not value hard work. If we want to secure a brighter future for Ghana, then we must safeguard the integrity of our examinations,” he stated.
The educationist’s proposals come at a time when concerns over exam irregularities have heightened, with many education watchers calling for urgent reforms to preserve the credibility of Ghana’s assessment system.
