The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) must develop tools that do not only evaluate students’ knowledge, but also challenge them to be creative and critical thinkers, the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has said.

She said such initiatives would enable students to compete successfully with their peers globally as the world was rapidly evolving with technology.

"Indeed, the future academic growth, regional mobility, and economic integration of our sub-region largely depend on the quality of education provided today.  

"Therefore, while the innovative mechanisms implemented to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in examination processes are commendable, the rise in malpractices threatens to undermine these objectives," Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added.

The Vice-President was speaking at the 74th Annual Council of WAEC in Accra.

At the event last Tuesday, the top three awardees of the 2025 WAEC Distinction Awards were honoured for being adjudged winners of the International Excellence Awards for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

They are Huda Suglo Suleman, first prize; Paula Adzo Elinam Sowu, second prize; and Matthea Aba Andoh, third prize winner.

The students, who scored A1 in all eight subjects, were picked from over two million candidates who sat the WASSCE-SC last year.

Prof. William A. Asomaning was also presented with the Distinguished Friend of Council Award for his immeasurable contribution to the success of WAEC and the development of education in the sub-region. 

Concerns

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the growing incidence of falsified results and altered certificates undermined WAEC's mandate and that if left unchecked, that risk would erode the credibility on which the entire examination system depended.

"It speaks to a broader responsibility that rests with institutions, communities, citizens, and especially students themselves.

"We must, therefore, be clear and consistent in our response, which is to uphold the integrity of our exams, to reject malpractice in all its forms, and to protect the value of the qualifications we confer.

"Anyone who helps a student to cheat in exams really hates the person and is already contributing to his future failure," she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation to member governments of WAEC for their efforts in sustaining the institution for over 70 years, saying, "Our government will keep working with other members to provide the necessary support to build stronger structures, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainability".

She further congratulated the awardees, teachers, parents and guardians, and their respective communities.

"Well done again. May this achievement inspire parents and educators to nurture talents regardless of gender or background. 

Examinations

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, said the ministry acknowledged the critical role examination played, not only as a means of screening candidates for further educational advancement.

He said it was also an instrument for honing the intellectual and practical skills that were essential for developing human capital required to drive the service and productive sectors of member states.

The Registrar to Council, Alhaji Pateh Bah, said a total of 2,814,785 candidates, made up of 2,656,911 School and 157,824 Private candidates, enrolled for the WASSCE-SC in 2025.

For his part, the Chairman of the Council of WAEC, Prof. Thomas Yormah, said Ghana occupied a unique position in the comity of WAEC nations.