By Daniel Donkor
The Bono Regional Office of the West African Examinations Council has moved decisively to protect the integrity of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), following the arrest of an invigilator in the Bono Region and a senior high school student in the Ahafo Region on the first day of the nationwide exercise.
The arrests, which occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, highlight the Council’s intensified efforts to clamp down on examination malpractice and preserve the credibility of Ghana’s assessment system.
At Notre Dame Girls Senior High School, a male invigilator was apprehended after he was allegedly found in possession of a mobile phone and actively solving questions from the English Language paper for candidates during the examination.
In a related incident, a Form Two student of Mim Senior High School was also arrested and remanded in custody for allegedly distributing prepared answers to candidates inside an examination hall.
Confirming the developments in an interview with GBC News, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Controller of WAEC, Daniel Nii Dodoo, stated that the invigilator was immediately handed over to the police for further investigation.
“This is a serious breach of examination regulations. WAEC does not condone any form of malpractice,” Mr. Dodoo stressed, reinforcing the Council’s zero-tolerance stance.
He further disclosed that the Bono Regional Director of Education, Gabriel Antwi, has been formally notified, as authorities work collaboratively to ensure accountability and deter further infractions.
Despite the incidents, WAEC officials maintain that robust security measures have been deployed across examination centres, involving both Council personnel and security agencies measures that have significantly reduced opportunities for cheating.
Addressing public concerns, Mr. Dodoo acknowledged reports suggesting that some invigilators extort money from candidates, but clarified that such actions are neither sanctioned nor supported by WAEC or supervising authorities.
“The arrests we have made demonstrate our commitment to dealing decisively with any wrongdoing,” he said.
He assured that, aside from the isolated cases, the first day of the BECE across the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions proceeded smoothly, with candidates complying fully with examination regulations under strict supervision.
In the Bono Region alone, a total of 24,984 candidates comprising 12,244 males and 12,740 females from 813 schools are sitting the examination at 88 centres.
The arrests send a clear and uncompromising message: any attempt to undermine the credibility of the BECE will be met with swift and decisive action.
