The West African Examinations Council has confirmed the arrest of more than 40 individuals for their alleged involvement in examination malpractice during the recently concluded Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The government has established a multi-stakeholder committee to tackle growing concerns over increasing hostel accommodation fees in Ghana’s tertiary education sector.

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has clarified that the Independent Examinations Committee (IEC) no longer has the legal authority to organise entrance examinations for admission into law schools following the passage of Ghana’s new Legal Education Reform Law.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has firmly denied authorising any school to collect fees from students or parents under any name or arrangement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.

The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service (GTVETS) has officially announced a nationwide recruitment exercise for both teaching and non-teaching staff as part of its 2026 employment intake.

The Acting Rent Commissioner, Fredrick Opoku, has strongly criticised the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) over accommodation charges at Ghana Hostels Limited, popularly known as Pentagon Hostel, describing the fees as exploitative, excessive, and unfair to students and parents.

The Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has renewed calls for a major overhaul of Ghana’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing the current structure as overly burdensome for students and outdated.

In a Facebook post on May 7, 2026, Mr Asare argued that the existing requirement for students to sit for 10 subjects over a five-day period for placement into senior high school places excessive pressure on learners and does not align with modern global assessment standards.

He described the system as “torture,” insisting that it creates unnecessary stress for candidates at a critical stage in their education journey.

“Piling 10 subjects over a five-day high-stakes BECE just for school placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper,” he stated.

Mr Asare proposed that the BECE be simplified to four core subjects — Mathematics, English Language, Science, and a General Paper — arguing that this would reduce academic pressure while still providing a fair and effective basis for selection into senior high schools.

He further noted that many education systems globally have moved away from heavily exam-based progression models, instead adopting aptitude testing and continuous assessment approaches to evaluate student learning outcomes more holistically.

“Others even use aptitude test plus continued assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he emphasized, calling for Ghana’s education system to evolve in line with modern educational practices.

The Africa Education Watch Executive Secretary has long been an advocate for reforms in Ghana’s education sector, particularly around assessment systems, examination integrity, learning outcomes, and equity in access to quality education.

His latest comments come at a time when the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination is underway across the country, with reports indicating cases of examination malpractice involving both students and invigilators.

According to available figures, more than 10 individuals have reportedly been arrested in connection with examination irregularities during the ongoing exams.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is expected to conclude on May 11, 2026. A total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools are participating in this year’s examination.

The Ministry of Education Ghana has issued a strong warning against examination malpractice during the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), following reported irregularities on the first day of the nationwide exams.

In a statement released on May 5, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, cautioned all stakeholders—including candidates, teachers, invigilators, supervisors, and school authorities—to strictly comply with examination regulations or face severe consequences.

“Any individual complicit in examination malpractice is an enemy of the state and will be dealt with ruthlessly,” the Minister warned.

The warning follows reports from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which confirmed seven cases of malpractice involving teachers and invigilators across the Central, Bono, and Ashanti regions on the first day of the exams.

The 2026 BECE, which began earlier this week, is scheduled to end on May 11 and is being conducted simultaneously across thousands of centres nationwide.

According to the Ministry, candidates found guilty of cheating—whether through possession of unauthorised materials, collusion, or seeking external assistance—risk having their results cancelled.

The Ministry further warned that any officials who facilitate or overlook malpractice will face strict disciplinary and legal action. These sanctions include dismissal, interdiction, and possible prosecution.

“Professional misconduct during national examinations will not be excused under any circumstances,” the statement emphasised.

The Ministry described examination malpractice as a “dangerous phenomenon” that undermines the credibility of Ghana’s education system and devalues academic achievements.

As part of efforts to deter wrongdoing, the Ministry referenced enforcement actions from previous years. Out of 40 individuals apprehended for facilitating malpractice in earlier examinations, eight have already been convicted and sentenced, while 32 cases are still ongoing.

“The eight convicted persons have automatically lost their jobs. They are unfit to be teachers and will be taken off the payroll of the Ghana Education Service,” the statement noted.

To prevent further infractions, the Ministry disclosed that it is working closely with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Service, West African Examinations Council, and national security agencies to enforce strict monitoring protocols.

A total of 2,303 examination centres across Ghana are under surveillance, with invigilation and compliance measures tightened to ensure the integrity of the process.

“Any attempt to compromise the integrity of the 2026 BECE will attract immediate and severe sanctions,” the Minister reiterated.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fairness, transparency, and credibility in national examinations, stressing that upholding standards is essential to preserving confidence in the education system.

It concluded by encouraging candidates to focus on their studies and wished them success as they complete the examination process.

A tragic road accident on the Wa–Charia road in the Upper West Region has claimed the lives of a Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate and his brother, just hours before the start of this year’s national examinations.