WAEC Warns of Potential WASSCE Results Delay Due to Unpaid Government Debt
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has expressed concerns that the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results may be delayed due to a substantial GH₵166 million debt owed by the Ghanaian government. WAEC's Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, explained that the debt includes outstanding payments for examination-related services, including invigilators and supervisors, amounting to over GH₵4 million. WAEC had requested a budget of GH₵186 million for the 2024 exams, but only a third—GH₵60.9 million—has been paid, leaving two-thirds of the budget unmet. This debt also includes GH₵40.4 million in arrears from previous years.
Kapi emphasized that WAEC's ability to release the WASSCE results on time relies heavily on the government settling these outstanding payments. If payment is not assured, WAEC may have to hold back marked scripts until the necessary funds are secured, affecting students who rely on these results for the various university admissions.
In response, the Ministry of Education assured stakeholders that it is actively working with WAEC to prevent any delays. Ministry spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng noted that a recent payment of GH₵15 million was released to help address WAEC's financial needs, and additional funds are being processed to avoid disruption. Kwarteng reassured students and parents that the ministry is committed to maintaining the established schedule for result releases, citing the long-standing partnership with WAEC and the government’s regular financial commitments to the council.
This financial strain on WAEC highlights the challenges that examination bodies face in balancing operational demands with funding from governmental sources. The delayed payments, if not resolved, could have broader implications for Ghana's educational calendar, affecting students' next academic steps and intensifying the debate on sustainable funding models for educational examinations in the country to curtail these occurances.
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