An official tour of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) centres in Accra on Monday, August 25, by the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Rosemond Wilson, uncovered a case of alleged examination malpractice.
At the Forces Senior High Technical School in Burma Camp, an invigilator was caught with a mobile phone containing examination questions.
JoyNews’ Adobea Asare reported that the matter came to light after Dr. Wilson’s attention was drawn to the invigilator, who was observed to be improperly dressed—already a breach of examination protocols.
Upon further interrogation, the phone was found to contain questions for subjects including Picture Making and Oral English.
The incident highlights a recurring challenge for Ghana’s education sector, where exam malpractice continues to undermine the credibility of the WASSCE certificate. A 2024 Africa Education Watch report noted that exam fraud remains a significant threat to academic integrity and the quality of graduates entering tertiary institutions.
The first core paper, Social Studies, is scheduled for today.
According to WAEC regulations, invigilators and supervisors are strictly prohibited from carrying mobile phones or unauthorised materials into examination halls. Such breaches are considered criminal under the WAEC Act.
Following the discovery, WAEC officials immediately confiscated the invigilator’s phone for further investigation. The individual has also been instructed to submit a detailed written report explaining the presence of the phone and the exam questions.
A full-scale investigation is expected to trace the source of the questions and uncover whether the invigilator is linked to a wider syndicate.
The school’s administration has been tasked to cooperate with WAEC and relevant authorities to ensure transparency in the process.
WAEC reiterated its commitment to collaborate with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute individuals engaged in exam fraud.
“This incident is a reminder of the continuous battle against examination malpractice, which threatens not only the academic standards of the country but also the future of hardworking students,” WAEC stated.
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