The Ministry of Education has reiterated its strong warning against examination malpractice in the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which is scheduled to conclude on May 11, 2026.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had earlier cautioned all stakeholders—including candidates, teachers, heads of schools, invigilators, and supervisors—to strictly avoid any form of malpractice during the national examination period. However, recent incidents have prompted the Ministry to restate its position following reported violations.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) recorded seven cases of examination malpractice on the first day of the examination, involving teachers and invigilators across the Central, Bono, and Ashanti Regions. The Ministry described these developments as deeply concerning and a threat to the integrity of national assessments.
According to the Ministry, individuals who engage in or facilitate examination malpractice are undermining the nation’s education system and will face strict consequences. “Any individual complicit in examination malpractice is an enemy of the state and will be dealt with ruthlessly,” the statement emphasized.
Candidates found guilty of cheating—whether through possession of unauthorized materials, collusion, or seeking external assistance—risk having their results cancelled. Similarly, teachers, invigilators, supervisors, and school authorities who aid, abet, or ignore malpractice will face sanctions including dismissal, interdiction, and possible prosecution.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the credibility of national examinations, stressing that professional misconduct during such exercises will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
It further warned would-be offenders by referencing past enforcement actions. Of 40 individuals implicated in examination malpractice last year, eight have been convicted and sentenced, while 32 others are still undergoing legal processes. The convicted persons have lost their jobs and have been removed from the payroll of the Ghana Education Service (GES), in line with directives from the Education Minister.
To strengthen enforcement, the Ministry, in collaboration with GES, WAEC, and security agencies, has deployed strict monitoring mechanisms across 2,303 examination centres nationwide.
The statement concluded with a reminder that any attempt to compromise the integrity of the BECE will attract immediate and severe sanctions, while extending best wishes to all candidates.
