The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in examination malpractice in Ghana, describing the trend as a national security threat.
According to the Council, the malpractice involves students, school authorities, and other stakeholders, severely undermining the credibility of the examination process.
WAEC’s Head of Humanities, Mr. Daniel Nii Dodoo, disclosed troubling statistics, revealing that in 2023 alone, over 587,000 subject results were withheld, while 59,000 results were cancelled due to various forms of malpractice.
He cautioned that if left unchecked, the trend could result in the emergence of underqualified graduates, widespread youth disillusionment, and an increased risk of extremist ideologies taking root among the youth.
Mr. Dodoo emphasized the need for a coordinated national response involving government agencies, parents, schools, and security institutions to tackle the issue head-on. He also called on the media to play a critical role by promoting a culture of integrity and holding institutions accountable.
To address the challenge, WAEC has proposed several measures, including the strengthening of regulatory frameworks, the promotion of ethics-based education, the deployment of advanced technology to monitor examinations, and the introduction of incentives for whistleblowers.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to restoring public trust in the examination system and ensuring that academic certificates genuinely reflect merit and competence.
