The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed a proposal by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for urgent reforms that would grant students a seat at the table in key national examination decision-making processes.
NUGS had argued that students are unfairly excluded from critical WAEC committees such as the Ghana Examinations Committee and the WAEC Investigative Committee, which are responsible for decisions on exam cancellations, irregularities, and malpractice investigations. According to the Union, the absence of student voices in these structures weakens transparency and accountability, especially in matters directly affecting candidates.
However, WAEC has pushed back strongly against the demand. Addressing the issue at a press briefing in Accra, the Head of WAEC’s National Office, Dr. Rosemond Wilson, maintained that the Council already operates an inclusive framework that engages the stakeholders most relevant to its work—teachers, parents, school heads, and government agencies.
“NUGS are students, and with our exams, invigilators and supervisors are supposed to be workers of the Ghana Education Service (GES). NUGS are not staff of the GES, so they cannot invigilate or supervise our exams,” Dr. Wilson stated.
She further explained that sensitive issues such as malpractice cases and paper cancellations require direct engagement with the affected candidates, often in the presence of their parents and teachers. In her view, the participation of NUGS in such processes is unnecessary and could complicate established procedures.
“When it comes to investigations, we deal directly with the candidate. For minor candidates, parents and teachers are required to be present during the process. So, we do not actually need NUGS. We don’t know the role they want to play concerning the investigations,” Dr. Wilson clarified.
The Council also emphasized that its independence and credibility depend on limiting participation in examination management to professionals trained in assessment and education administration.
Meanwhile, NUGS has stood by its call, insisting that students, as the primary stakeholders, deserve a voice in how examinations are conducted and managed. The Union argues that student representation would help curb rising concerns about exam leakages, unfair cancellations, and the perceived lack of accountability in WAEC’s operations.
Observers note that this standoff highlights the growing tensions between WAEC and Ghana’s student movement. While WAEC stresses the need for professional oversight, NUGS continues to push for reforms that prioritize transparency and inclusivity.
The debate comes at a time when WAEC is under intense public scrutiny following a string of malpractice scandals in recent years, which have raised questions about exam security, fairness, and the overall integrity of Ghana’s educational assessment system.
