*WAEC's DEBT: The Akufo-Addo Bawumia Government Has Disgraced Ghana – William Boadi, EAI*
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI) is deeply concerned and disappointed by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government’s failure to settle Ghana's GHS 118 million debt owed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This disgraceful situation has not only jeopardized WAEC’s operations but has also tarnished Ghana's reputation in the sub-region, especially when nations like Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia have honored their financial obligations to the council.
This substantial debt has crippled WAEC’s ability to process and release examination results on time, leaving thousands of Ghanaian students and parents in a state of anxiety. While other nations in the sub-region have paid their dues promptly, enabling WAEC to operate smoothly, Ghana a nation blessed with abundant resources finds itself in this embarrassing position.
Credible reports indicate that WAEC is struggling with operational challenges, including broken or malfunctioning equipment that require urgent repairs or replacement. Unfortunately, the council’s inability to resolve these issues is directly linked to the unpaid debt owed by the Government of Ghana. The delay in releasing examination results due to these financial constraints has far-reaching consequences, especially for students awaiting their results for admission into tertiary institutions or for job applications.
The Executive Director of Educate Africa Institute, Mr. William Boadi, has strongly condemned this negligence, stating:
"It is unacceptable that while other nations in the region have settled their debts to WAEC, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government continues to drag its feet, thereby disgracing Ghana. Education is the foundation of national development, and any delay in releasing examination results undermines the progress of our youth. The government must act swiftly to pay this debt and restore WAEC’s operational efficiency. The current state of affairs is an embarrassment to Ghana, given the resources at our disposal."
EAI also emphasizes that this crisis highlights the urgent need for a sustainable funding mechanism for WAEC to prevent such recurring challenges. A reliable financial framework is essential for WAEC to carry out its mandate effectively without depending on inconsistent government interventions.
As an advocacy group dedicated to championing quality education in Africa, the Educate Africa Institute is calling on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to prioritize this pressing issue. The inability to settle this debt not only threatens the future of Ghanaian students but also damages the nation’s reputation within the West African sub-region.
Ghana’s youth our future leaders deserve better. They deserve a dependable educational system that ensures the timely release of results, enabling them to pursue their academic and professional aspirations without unnecessary delays.
We urge the government to take immediate action to settle this debt, restore confidence in the education system, and prevent further disruptions to the lives of thousands of Ghanaian students. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust and potential of our youth.
Signed,
*William Boadi*
Executive Director, Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
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