The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has singled out four regions in Ghana as persistent hotspots for exam malpractice. The Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti Regions have all recorded recurring cases of irregularities in recent years, according to the Council’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi.
Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews, Mr. Kapi revealed that although these regions remain the main focus, the Central Region is also showing a worrying rise in exam-related offenses.
“The hotspots in the country are the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti regions. You may think the figures elsewhere are higher, but in recent years, we’ve seen the Central Region’s numbers begin to rise as well,” he said.
Mr. Kapi explained that the Council’s data over the past two years shows a consistent pattern of malpractice in these areas, ranging from cheating and impersonation to the circulation of leaked exam papers. While the number of incidents fluctuates annually, the trend indicates that some regions have become repeat offenders.
He added that WAEC is actively working with education stakeholders and security agencies to tackle the issue, especially as investigations continue into cases linked to the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Council recently debunked reports that over 34,000 candidates’ results had been withheld, stating that official figures have not yet been released.
Mr. Kapi stressed that ongoing investigations will determine the next steps and that any future announcements will come directly from WAEC.
Over time, WAEC has increased its monitoring mechanisms to safeguard the credibility of its examinations. Measures include serialized question papers, enhanced supervision, and rapid communication between field agents and headquarters.
The Council has also issued repeated warnings to candidates and the public to avoid engaging in malpractice, noting the long-term harm it poses to Ghana’s educational standards.
