Report by Daniel Donkor
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), says it is firmly in control of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), despite uncovering what officials describe as a highly coordinated examination malpractice network operating across parts of Ghana.
The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Controller of WAEC, Daniel Nii Dodoo, revealed that the Council has intensified enforcement measures, leading to the arrest, prosecution, and fining of several invigilators implicated in examination-related offences.
“We are on top of the situation and doing everything within our power to protect the integrity of the WASSCE,” Mr. Dodoo assured.
A total of 67,739 candidates comprising 29,658 males and 38,081 females are sitting this year’s examination across the three regions, placing significant responsibility on authorities to ensure credibility and fairness.
Mr. Dodoo disclosed that WAEC has rolled out an aggressive sensitisation campaign in schools to address rising irregularities observed since the start of the examinations. In addition, a comprehensive inspection strategy has been deployed, with officers from the Sunyani office assigned to monitor centres across the municipality and beyond.
“We have mapped out inspectors and deployed every available officer to the field. Our presence spans Sunyani, Techiman and surrounding enclaves, as well as parts of Ahafo. This has significantly helped in curbing the activities of malpractice agents,” he said.
Describing the scale of the problem, Mr. Dodoo warned that examination malpractice has evolved into an organised system involving multiple actors.
“It is a cartel massive and coordinated. Tackling it will require the collective effort of all stakeholders,” he stressed.
He confirmed that numerous cases involving invigilators have already been adjudicated in court, with offenders fined and cautioned.
“A number of invigilators have been convicted under examination malpractice laws. We are compiling a full report of these cases and will, with approval from our national office, make the details public,” he noted.
He added that a list of implicated individuals will be forwarded to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for further disciplinary action.
Beyond invigilators, WAEC says student involvement in malpractice remains alarmingly high. Mr. Dodoo disclosed that many candidates have been caught entering examination halls with photocopied materials.
“With the students, the situation is equally worrying. Many come in with prepared materials, which clearly suggests organised support systems, often from within the school environment,” he explained.
He emphasized that all reported cases will be handled in accordance with WAEC regulations, with sanctions applied based on the severity of each offence.
Despite these challenges, WAEC insists that the overall administration of the WASSCE remains secure and efficient.
“Our question papers are delivered to centres on time, and there have been no leaks before the examinations,” Mr. Dodoo said.
He clarified, however, that breaches typically occur after the papers reach examination centres, where malpractice syndicates quickly photograph questions and transmit them to external collaborators for solutions, which are then relayed back to candidates.
“That is the system we are fighting where questions are captured and sent out for answers to be reproduced in the examination hall,” he revealed.
Mr. Dodoo called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including school authorities, parents, and security agencies, to dismantle the malpractice networks.
“This is not just WAEC’s fight it is a national responsibility. We must all act to preserve the integrity of our educational system,” he urged.
As enforcement tightens and investigations deepen, WAEC’s battle against examination malpractice is shaping into a decisive effort to restore trust in one of West Africa’s most critical academic assessments.
