WAEC’s Future in Ghana Imperiled by Continued Funding Challenges – Nortsu Kotoe

MP Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, has voiced serious concerns over the recurring funding challenges faced by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Ghana.

Nortsu-Kotoe’s remarks come in light of WAEC’s recent announcement that financial constraints may force a postponement of the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

WAEC’s Director of Public Affairs, John Kapi, disclosed that the council requires approximately GH₵90 million to successfully conduct the exams.

Although exam papers have been printed, the council lacks funds for their distribution and for sending officials to monitor the exams.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM show, Nortsu-Kotoe expressed his worry, stating, “If we continue this way, I do not think WAEC has a brighter future in this country. You see, the money that is due to WAEC is the registration fees approved by parliament to be released to WAEC.”

He emphasized that the government has committed to covering all fees for BECE and WASSCE candidates, with funds allocated and approved accordingly. However, delays in releasing these funds have posed significant challenges.

Nortsu-Kotoe highlighted the critical role of fees paid by private BECE candidates, noting that without these, WAEC’s preparations for examinations would be severely compromised.

Comparing Ghana’s situation unfavorably with other West African countries, Nortsu-Kotoe lamented, “In other countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Liberia, as soon as parliament approves the money at the beginning of the year, WAEC is given every money it works with, but it is the reverse in Ghana.”

Meanwhile, the government has indicated that it has disbursed 47 million cedis out of the nearly 95 million owed to WAEC. Although WAEC can proceed with the exams with this amount, it remains unable to settle its debts.

WAEC aims to deploy its staff by July 4 to commence the exams as scheduled from July 8 to July 15, 2024, across all examination centres nationwide.