BY Grace Zigah
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified its crackdown on examination malpractices in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), leading to multiple arrests across the country.
A school proprietor, invigilators, teachers, and several impersonators have all been implicated in a coordinated scheme to cheat during the exams.
At a press briefing in Accra on Friday, September 5, 2025, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, disclosed that a monitoring team uncovered widespread irregularities during routine inspections.
Two individuals posing as candidates were arrested at Ghana College, Kasoa.
They were arraigned before court and handed a six-month prison sentence each.
Their accomplice, who played a role in the malpractice scheme, received an eight-month jail term.
In one of the most high-profile cases, the proprietor of Christian IPS at Kukurantumi, along with an invigilator, was arrested for allegedly creating a WhatsApp group where snapshots of examination questions and answers were circulated to students.
Both have been handed over to the police for further investigation.
The swoop also extended to other schools across the country. At St. Vincent College in Abura Dunkwa, a suspect identified as Ebenezer Fynn was apprehended, while at Steps to Destiny SHS in Yeji, one Hanna Lariba was arrested for her involvement.
In Asante Bekwai, Kodua Desmond of Abot College was also picked up and has since been remanded in police custody for two weeks.
Other culprits included Osei Assibey Daniel at Atwima Kwanwoma Presby SHS, as well as Maxwell Chamba and Amaglo Livingstone, both arrested at Sefa Bonsu Royal SHS in Yeji.
Investigators also caught a physics teacher at Ahafoman SHS in possession of snapshots of physics practical questions on his mobile phone, which he had shared with candidates.
At King James Senior High Technical School (SHTS), an invigilator, Ernest Frimpong, was arrested with similar evidence on his phone.
Kapi emphasized that WAEC has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to examination fraud, warning proprietors, teachers, and students that anyone caught would face swift prosecution. “We are determined to sanitize the examination process. These criminal acts undermine the integrity of the WASSCE and jeopardize the credibility of Ghana’s education system,” he stressed.
Examination malpractice has long been a challenge in Ghana’s educational landscape, with WAEC introducing several measures in recent years—including banning electronic devices in exam halls, deploying undercover monitors, and collaborating closely with the Ghana Police Service. Despite these efforts, syndicates involving school authorities, teachers, and hired impersonators continue to threaten the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, WAEC has also announced that results for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for private candidates will be released by the close of Friday, September 5, 2025.
