WAEC shuts down popular SHS centres, relocates candidates to WAEC hall over exam malpractice
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has taken decisive action to protect the integrity of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by relocating 936 candidates from Adventist Day Senior High School in Kumasi to its regional office. The move follows the discovery of widespread examination malpractice at the school, raising concerns about the credibility of the exams.
The decision was announced on Thursday, September 4, 2025, during a monitoring tour of examination centers in the Kumasi metropolis led by Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi. The candidates, originally scheduled to write their English language paper at Adventist Day SHS, were bused to the WAEC regional office to complete the exam under stricter supervision.
David Oppong, the Kumasi Metro Director of Education, expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing. “This has come to the attention of the regional director, and we are yet to do our investigation,” Oppong said. “It is very unfortunate. The students have been bused to the WAEC center to take the examination.”
Oppong emphasized the need for vigilance among invigilators and supervisors to prevent further breaches. “If we continue to allow and encourage these things in our schools, it means we are destroying the nation,” he warned. “We will ensure that the code of conduct and the rules governing the examination will be applied.”
The WASSCE, a critical milestone for senior high school students across West Africa, is being written by over 15,000 candidates from 14 state-run schools in Kumasi this year. Mayor Boadi visited several of these schools to assess the examination process firsthand and offer encouragement to the candidates.
Examination malpractice remains a persistent challenge in Ghana, undermining the credibility of academic qualifications. Last year, WAEC canceled results at multiple exam centers across the country due to similar violations. The relocation of candidates from Adventist Day SHS underscores WAEC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the WASSCE and ensuring a fair assessment process.
As investigations continue, education authorities are calling for stricter adherence to examination protocols to safeguard the future of Ghana’s education system.
