- Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh warns of organised exam malpractice syndicates in Ghana.
- WAEC has withheld results for three BECE candidates over suspected irregularities.
- Tandoh recommends computer-assisted testing to curb cheating and restore integrity.
- WAEC data shows rising malpractice cases in Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions.
- Stakeholders are calling for digital reforms to protect Ghana’s education system.
Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, former Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has sounded the alarm over the growing sophistication of examination malpractice in Ghana, calling for urgent reforms to protect the integrity of the country’s education system.
His remarks follow a recent update from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which confirmed that results for three candidates in the 2025 BECE for Private Candidates have been withheld due to suspected irregularities. The cases are currently under investigation.
Dr. Tandoh, speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme, described the situation as deeply troubling. He warned that cheating in exams is no longer isolated — it is now driven by organised syndicates involving teachers, school proprietors, and administrators. These networks, he said, are undermining the credibility of national assessments and eroding public trust.
To combat the trend, Dr. Tandoh recommended the adoption of computer-assisted testing across Ghana’s examination landscape. He argued that digital testing platforms could reduce human interference, limit access to unauthorized materials, and improve monitoring during exams.
His comments come amid broader concerns about exam fraud in Ghana. WAEC has previously identified regions such as Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo as hotspots for malpractice, with thousands of cases recorded in recent years. The Council has also warned that unchecked cheating threatens the value of Ghanaian certificates and could have long-term consequences for national development.
Education analysts say Dr. Tandoh’s call for reform reflects a growing consensus that Ghana must modernize its assessment systems to stay ahead of malpractice trends. As digital tools become more accessible, stakeholders are urging policymakers to invest in secure, scalable platforms that can restore confidence in the country’s academic credentials.
