President Nana Akufo-Addo, during his speech at the 187th Speech and Prize Giving day and Anniversary celebration of Wesley Girls’ High School, criticized stakeholders, including former President John Dramani Mahama, for questioning the credibility of the 2023 WASSCE Results due to cheating.
Former President Mahama had raised concerns about examination malpractices and the future implications for the quality of students churned out by the school system. The Ministry of Education labeled his comments as a “false misrepresentation of the facts.”
In response to this, Vice-President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia accused former President Mahama of denigrating the achievements of the students. This was followed by a caution from the youth wing of the NPP that the former president’s comments would not be tolerated.
President Akufo-Addo joined the discourse by describing former President Mahama’s cheating-linked credibility statements as “unfortunate, misguided statements” and insisted that there is no merit in criticizing the 2023 WASSCE results within the context of cheating.
It is clear that there were recorded cases of cheating during the exams, which is a reality that cannot be stifled. Instead of dismissing these concerns, visionary leaders should embrace criticisms and work towards strategies for enhancing the integrity of examinations.
Former President Mahama’s statements echoed the concerns expressed by the African Education Watch (EDUWATCH), which urged Ghanaians to confront examination malpractices without excuses and stop pretending it does not affect exam results and the quality of human capital.
It is essential for leaders to prioritize the issue of examination malpractices and work towards ensuring quality conduct of WASSCE to produce quality graduates from the school system. This should not be politicized, as it affects the future integrity of certificates internationally and the quality of knowledge and skills that young people need for their future adult life and our national development challenges.
