The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised alarm over its worsening financial constraints, citing the government’s partial payment of GH¢25 million as insufficient to address its GH¢118 million debt. The Council stressed that the meager allocation jeopardizes its ability to release the delayed 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, causing widespread anxiety among students, parents, and schools.
John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, expressed frustration during a media briefing, highlighting the immense operational challenges posed by the government’s failure to meet its financial obligations.
“The GH¢25 million is far from adequate. It merely scratches the surface of our financial needs,” Kapi stated. “We informed the minister earlier that we owed our technicians GH¢25 million, which must be paid before they can begin work on the machines needed for processing the results. With this partial payment, we’re still unable to cover other critical operational costs.”
The delayed release of WASSCE results has disrupted academic timelines for thousands of students seeking admission to tertiary institutions. Parents and educators have voiced concerns over the ripple effects on students’ academic progression and the broader education system.
Educational institutions, particularly universities, have expressed fears that prolonged delays could impact their admissions processes, with some schools reconsidering deadlines to accommodate affected students.
WAEC officials have emphasized the need for immediate and substantial financial intervention from the government to avert further disruptions. Kapi warned that unless the GH¢93 million balance is cleared promptly, the Council’s operations could grind to a halt.
“If we decide to bring in the technicians today, their first demand will be for the outstanding payment. That entire GH¢25 million would be consumed immediately, leaving no room to address other pressing operational needs,” Kapi explained.
This financial impasse not only undermines WAEC’s ability to fulfill its mandate but also casts doubt on the stability of Ghana’s education sector. Stakeholders are urging the government to prioritize the issue and ensure adequate funding to restore confidence in the system.
Without swift resolution, the delays in releasing WASSCE results could set a precedent with long-term consequences for the credibility of standardized examinations in the region.
