The Ministry of Education (MoE) has called on the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure that facts are verified internally before making public pronouncements that could mislead the public or undermine the Ministry’s efforts. This statement followed conflicting reports about the release of the 2024 WASSCE results and the financial support provided by the Ministry to WAEC.
Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum had earlier assured the public that the 2024 WASSCE results would be released by December 29. During a visit to the WAEC offices on Tuesday, Dr. Adutwum informed journalists that WAEC was in the final stages of marking and preparing the results for publication. He emphasized that the Ministry was committed to ensuring the timely release of results and that the necessary financial support had been provided to WAEC.
However, the assurance by the Minister was met with a rebuttal from WAEC’s Public Relations Officer, John Kapi. According to Mr. Kapi, the Minister’s claim that an additional GHS 25 million had been released to WAEC to support its operations was inaccurate. He added that WAEC had not received any funds beyond the GHS 25 million payment made on December 18.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr. Kapi stated, “Without any formal meeting with the management team of WAEC, [the Minister] addressed the media present, giving them assurances that results would be released by December 29. We wish to state that apart from a cheque for GHS 25 million that was issued on December 18, no further releases out of the outstanding GHS 118 million have been made. The Council awaits the release of the additional GHS 35 million it has requested from the Ministry of Education to enable it to fix the broken-down scanners, conclude scanning of the objective test answer cards, and then process the results.”
In response to these claims, the Ministry of Education issued a statement on Thursday, December 26, clarifying its position and outlining the financial commitments it has fulfilled toward WAEC’s operations. The Ministry confirmed that in a letter dated December 20, 2024, and signed by the Head of the National Office of WAEC (Ref. No. HNO/GES/MOE/VOL.28/156), WAEC formally acknowledged receipt of a cheque for GHS 25 million.
“This payment represents part of the Ministry’s financial commitment towards the 2024 WASSCE (School Candidates) examination fees,” the statement read. It further indicated that WAEC had subsequently requested an additional GHS 35 million to facilitate the processing of the 2024 WASSCE results, a request the Ministry promptly honored by releasing the funds.
The Ministry expressed surprise at the WAEC PRO’s public denial of receiving the GHS 25 million payment, despite official documentation confirming its acknowledgment. It reiterated the importance of verifying facts internally before making public statements that could inadvertently mislead the public or cast aspersions on the Ministry’s efforts.
“For emphasis, it is important to highlight that, from July 2024 to date, the Ministry has disbursed a total of GHS 167,976,815 to WAEC in fulfillment of its financial obligations to the Council. We urge the public to remain calm as we work closely with WAEC to ensure the release of the 2024 WASSCE results,” the Ministry stated.
The conflicting reports between the Ministry and WAEC have drawn attention to the need for clear communication and coordination between the two entities. The Ministry emphasized that public confidence in the examination process is paramount and that misinformation could undermine the credibility of the results and the integrity of the examination body.
The assurance by Dr. Adutwum that results would be released by December 29 was intended to allay public concerns about potential delays in the release of the WASSCE results. For many candidates, timely access to their results is critical for admission processes into tertiary institutions and other academic pursuits. The Minister’s statement sought to reassure the public that the necessary measures were in place to meet this timeline.
On the other hand, WAEC’s concerns about financial challenges and operational bottlenecks underscore the complexities involved in managing large-scale examinations. The Council has highlighted the need for additional resources to repair broken-down scanners, complete the scanning of objective test answer cards, and finalize the results processing.
The Ministry’s response sought to address these concerns by providing a detailed account of the funds disbursed to WAEC over the past six months. The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting WAEC in overcoming any operational challenges and ensuring the smooth release of the 2024 WASSCE results.
The exchange between the Ministry and WAEC has sparked public interest, with stakeholders calling for enhanced collaboration and transparency. The timely release of the WASSCE results is not only crucial for the candidates but also for maintaining trust in the examination system. As the Ministry and WAEC work together to resolve these issues, it is hoped that future engagements will be marked by better communication and coordination.
Dr. Adutwum has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s education sector continues to thrive and that challenges related to examinations and results processing are addressed promptly. He acknowledged the critical role of WAEC in maintaining high standards in the administration of examinations and expressed optimism that the current issues would be resolved amicably.
The Ministry concluded its statement by urging the public to remain calm and patient as efforts are underway to release the results as scheduled. It assured candidates and their families that both the Ministry and WAEC are working diligently to uphold the integrity of the examination process and deliver the results on time.
As the December 29 deadline approaches, all eyes remain on WAEC and the Ministry of Education to fulfill their commitments and ensure that candidates receive their results without further delays. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration, transparency, and effective communication in addressing challenges and meeting public expectations.
While the disagreements between the Ministry and WAEC have generated public discourse, the shared goal remains the successful release of the 2024 WASSCE results. The dedication and efforts of all stakeholders involved will ultimately determine the outcome and reaffirm the trust placed in Ghana’s education system.
