The Acting Regional Education Director for the Oti Region, Irene Jacquelinda Attabra, has called on all stakeholders to join forces with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to curb examination malpractice, warning that the growing trend threatens the credibility of Ghana’s educational outcomes and the future of the nation’s youth.
Speaking on the issue, Irene Attabra noted that Ghana has, for decades, been proud of an education system that produced world-class scholars and professionals.
However, she observed that in recent years, examination malpractice has evolved from isolated incidents of cheating into a sophisticated and widespread threat, undermining public confidence in national examinations such as the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
She stressed that the integrity of BECE and WASSCE results was once unquestionable, but today the genuine efforts of hardworking students are too often overshadowed by the shortcuts taken by others.
According to her, this is not merely a school-based challenge but a broader societal problem that risks devaluing the certificates Ghanaian children carry into the global space.
The Regional acting education director urged stakeholders to reflect on the long-term impact of tolerating malpractice, cautioning that accepting dishonesty teaches young people that success can be bought or stolen.
She added that any teacher, parent, or official who facilitates cheating is not helping a child, but rather weakening that child’s ability to compete and survive in the real world. She called for a return to meritocracy, discipline, and hard work.
Emphasizing that GES cannot win the fight alone, she appealed to political and administrative leaders to enforce rules fairly and firmly, and encouraged traditional and religious leaders to reinforce community values by making it clear that there is no honour in fraudulent grades.
She also called on teachers and their unions to protect the sanctity of the profession and uphold the integrity of the classroom.
Additionally, she appealed to the media to amplify the message across the Oti Region to ensure parents and students understand that the 2026 BECE and WASSCE will be anchored on merit and integrity.
Addressing candidates directly, Irene Attabra described the integrity of national examinations as non-negotiable and warned that GES will pursue and sanction anyone involved in malpractice, students and officials alike.
She stressed that there will be no leniency, no exceptions.
