In a significant move to expedite the release of examination results, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, has provided an additional GH₵35 million to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This financial boost is aimed at supporting the scanning of objective answer cards and finalizing the results for school candidates of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The announcement was made by The offical WAEC page on X on December 27, 2024, with a press statement from WAEC attached to the post, confirming the receipt of the funds.
According to the press statement from WAEC, dated December 27, 2024, and signed by John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs, the council has received a cheque for GH₵35,000,000 from the Ministry of Education. This funding will facilitate the completion of the scanning process for the school candidates’ answer cards, an essential step before the results can be processed and released. The council is working around the clock to meet the ambitious deadline of releasing the results by the end of December 2024, ensuring that the academic calendar for students remains on track.
The allocation comes in the wake of delays in result processing due to financial constraints, including outstanding government debts. This injection of funds is expected to clear these hurdles, allowing WAEC to expedite its operations. The press statement also revealed that WAEC is appealing to the Ministry of Education to release the outstanding balance of funds to cover additional examination-related expenses, such as payment for supervisors, invigilators, script checkers, and suppliers of examination materials.
This development is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Education to support WAEC’s operations, which are crucial for providing standardized assessments in the English-speaking West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. WAEC, established by law to determine examinations in the public interest, plays a pivotal role in the educational landscape of West Africa, ensuring that students receive certificates comparable to international standards.
The Ministry’s commitment to timely result release underscores the importance of educational examinations in the career progression of students and the overall educational system in Ghana. This financial support not only aids WAEC in overcoming current challenges but also reinforces the government’s dedication to educational development and the well-being of its young citizens.
