Kumasi Mayor and Metro Education Director Tour BECE Centres to Inspire Candidates and Ensure Smooth Conduct of Exams

The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, in collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Education Directorate, led by Metro Director Mr. David Oppong, has embarked on a significant monitoring exercise to various Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) centres within the Kumasi Metropolis. The tour, conducted on Monday, June 10, 2025, aimed not only at supervising the smooth conduct of the nationwide examination but also at encouraging and inspiring candidates to excel.

The Mayor and his entourage visited several examination centres including Opoku Ware School, Bantama Adventist Senior High School, and Serwaa Nyarko Girls’ SHS. At each location, the team interacted with candidates, invigilators, and examination officials, offering words of motivation and assessing the general atmosphere and logistical arrangements. The dignitaries commended the level of preparation by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), particularly in the enforcement of strict examination protocols and security measures.

Speaking to the media after the tour, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi highlighted the crucial role education plays in shaping the future of individuals and the development of society at large. He reaffirmed the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s commitment to prioritizing and investing in education, particularly at the basic level.

“We are here to encourage our young ones to give off their best in this important examination. The BECE marks a significant milestone in their academic journey, and we want them to know that the city of Kumasi stands behind them,” the Mayor said. “Discipline, honesty, and integrity must guide them through this period. The future of this city and our nation lies in their potential.”

The Mayor’s presence was warmly welcomed by candidates and teachers alike, with many describing it as a timely morale boost. He further reiterated that the Assembly would continue to partner with the Education Directorate to improve access, quality, and infrastructure in schools across the metropolis.

On his part, Mr. David Oppong, the Kumasi Metro Director of Education, expressed satisfaction with the general conduct of the 2025 BECE so far. He praised the heads and teachers of both public and private basic schools in the metropolis for their tireless efforts in preparing the candidates. He noted that the atmosphere across all centres visited was calm and well-organized, a testament to months of careful planning and coordination.

“This year, a total of 9,846 candidates are sitting for the BECE across 35 centres in the Kumasi Metropolis. These include 4,693 boys and 5,153 girls. We are particularly proud that our girls’ participation continues to rise, reflecting efforts towards gender equity in education,” Mr. Oppong stated.

Breaking down the statistics, Mr. Oppong revealed that the candidates comprise 6,713 students from 95 public basic schools and 3,133 from 139 private schools. The figures also include five reformation candidates from the prisons service, an important reminder of the inclusive nature of Ghana’s education system.

According to the Metro Education Directorate, public school candidates represent 68% of the total number of candidates in the metropolis, while private school candidates constitute the remaining 32%.

The Director emphasized the importance of fairness and vigilance throughout the exam period, urging all stakeholders—students, invigilators, and supervisors—to uphold the integrity of the examination.

The tour concluded with encouraging interactions between the officials and candidates, some of whom shared their aspirations and experiences. Many students said the visit from the Mayor and the Director had uplifted their spirits and given them renewed confidence to face the remaining papers.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Education Directorate have assured the public that they will continue to monitor the centres closely and provide the necessary support to ensure a peaceful, fair, and successful examination process across the metropolis.