Government processes GH¢25 million for WAEC amid GH¢118 million debt concerns

The government has issued a GH¢25 million cheque to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as part of efforts to address its GH¢118 million debt to the Council. The payment aims to resolve immediate operational challenges, but stakeholders, including Parliament’s Education Committee, have raised concerns over the adequacy of this amount.

Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Ranking Member of the Education Committee, described the payment as a step forward but insufficient to resolve WAEC’s financial difficulties. “The GH¢25 million is only a fraction of the GH¢118 million owed. It is a drop in the ocean,” he stated.

WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, explained that the funds would be used to pay technicians to repair faulty scanners essential for marking objective questions. However, he cautioned that without full settlement of the debt, the release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results could face significant delays.

The Minority in Parliament has also urged the government to address the debt comprehensively, warning of the broader implications for WAEC’s operations and the education sector. The situation highlights the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to WAEC’s financial challenges.

By: Linda Akite