The government has allocated GH55 million to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for the organization of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Winifred Ampiaw, WAEC’s Public Relations Officer, verified receipt of the funds on Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 27, 2023
“I can say that we have received some amount of money that will enable us to conduct the exams, for both WASSCE and BECE. However, there’s a payment plan to pay the rest. So far we have received GH¢10.5 million to be able to conduct BECE, and for WASSCE, we have received GH¢40 million. This amount will enable us to take care of the pre-exams activities and the conduct of the exams itself. We’ve received GH¢55 million in total received, I know for a fact that we have received the money”.
“The payment is for this year’s exams, we are supposed to spend a rough estimate of GH¢18 million for BECE. For WASSCE, the total cost for just the pre and the conduct of the main will take us to GH¢63.5 million. We are left with about GH¢7.5 million. However, I want to assure the public that yes, we are in the position to conduct both exams for this year,” she assured.
This follows assertions by the Minority that the 2023 WASSCE and BECE may not take place due to the government’s failure to meet its financial responsibilities to WAEC.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Minority Spokesperson on Education, raised concern that WAEC urgently needs more than GH50 million to satisfy its financial obligations and enable the smooth organization of the 2023 examinations.
He emphasized WAEC’s current issues, citing the government’s refusal to provide cash for compensating persons who offered services during the 2022 WASSCE.
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Education Minister, also responded to the Minority’s charges on Eyewitness News, saying the government is attempting to settle the remaining funds.
“I wish to state emphatically that all arrangements to begin BECE on August 7 are in place, nothing has changed. BECE will be conducted by WAEC unabated. There were some concerns of indebtedness which were brought to our attention. As of yesterday [July 26], an amount of GH¢40 million has been paid to WAEC, to support them in their operations,” Reverend Ntim-Fordjour revealed.
