The numbers
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) held its 74th annual council meeting in Ghana, where it recognized significant achievements and discussed ongoing reforms. In 2025, a total of 2,612,830 candidates sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), underscoring the scale of the examination’s impact across the region.
During the meeting, President John Mahama commended WAEC for its efforts to enhance transparency within the examination process. He stated, “WAEC risks losing its credibility to these fraudsters if care is not taken,” referring to the ongoing issues with examination malpractice and fraud. This statement highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in the examination system.
Three Ghanaian candidates were awarded for their outstanding performance in the WASSCE 2025, with Huda Suleman receiving the prestigious Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for being the best candidate in West Africa. Such recognitions not only celebrate individual achievements but also serve to inspire future candidates.
The meeting also featured the 31st Annual Endowment Fund Lecture, which focused on assessment integrity, a critical topic as WAEC continues to navigate challenges in maintaining the credibility of its examinations. Delegates from WAEC’s five member countries attended the meeting, reflecting the collaborative nature of the organization, which has been operational for over 70 years.
In addition to celebrating achievements, the Minister for Education announced plans to bar unqualified candidates from the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister, emphasized the need for adherence to guidelines, stating, “That is why we are seeing a reflection of poor quality because the student is not up to the task but forces himself to write BECE even when he is in primary six or JHS 1 or 2.” He further noted, “We have also made a determination that, there students who leap early, not yet in JHS 3 but ought to write BECE, that is unacceptable per the GES guideline and the WAEC guidelines.”
As part of the ongoing reforms, candidates can check their 2026 WASSCE results online through the WAEC Ghana portal. A WAEC results voucher, which can be purchased using the code 7133998, is required to view the official results. WAEC has cautioned candidates against fraudsters who claim they can upgrade results, reinforcing the importance of relying on official channels when checking results.
The next WAEC meeting is scheduled to take place in Nigeria in March 2027, where further discussions on examination reforms and regional collaboration are expected. Observers anticipate that this meeting will build on the discussions held in Ghana and address any unresolved issues regarding examination integrity and candidate preparedness.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific outcomes of the reforms discussed, but WAEC’s commitment to enhancing the examination process remains clear as it continues to adapt to the evolving educational landscape in West Africa.