by Kwesi Traffic | News
The 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is shrouded in uncertainty due to significant financial shortfalls faced by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The examining body urgently requires nearly 98% of the GH¢95.83 million needed to organize the examination. With the exam dates fast approaching, the situation has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders in the education sector.
As the examination dates approach, the education sector anxiously awaits a resolution that will ensure the smooth conduct of these crucial examinations. Adequate funding and logistical support are imperative for WAEC to uphold its commitment to delivering credible and fair assessments for students across the country.
Financial Shortfall and Its Implications: Is 2024 BECE Start date uncertain as WAEC Struggles with Funding?
WAEC has so far received only about GH¢2.3 million of the required GH¢95.83 million to successfully facilitate the BECE. The council has made it clear that at least 50% of the total amount is essential to commence the examinations, with additional funds necessary for processing and releasing the results. The BECE is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 8, and end on Monday, July 15, 2024, across all examination centers in the country, however, Is 2024 BECE start date uncertain?
John Kapi, the Head of Public Relations at WAEC, revealed in an interview with Graphic Online’s Severious Kale-Dery that despite some GH¢6 million being processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), the funds have not yet materialized as actual cash. This delay in funding has cast a shadow of doubt over the timely conduct of the BECE.
Indebtedness and Supplier Relations
The current financial strain has led to a precarious situation where WAEC’s suppliers are hesitant to provide further materials on credit. According to Mr. Kapi, numerous suppliers had previously supplied essential materials such as bond paper, answer booklets, pencils, and other examination stationery on credit. However, due to WAEC’s outstanding debts, these suppliers are now reluctant to extend further credit for the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates in 2024.
Impact of Late Fund Releases
The delayed release of funds has severely impacted every aspect of WAEC’s operations. The council has been forced to airfreight examination materials, a significantly more expensive option compared to sea freight. For instance, the airfreighting of script envelopes will cost around $29,000, whereas sea freight would have only cost about $6,500. The council urgently needs script envelopes for the BECE, but the current stock is insufficient, let alone for the WASSCE that follows.
Mr. Kapi emphasized that the late payments for examination logistical materials have compelled WAEC to purchase items locally at exorbitant prices due to buying on credit, limiting their ability to negotiate for better prices. Over the years, WAEC has relied on sea freight for cost-effective transportation of examination materials, but the time constraints this year have made that impossible.
Operational Challenges and Malpractice Prevention
To conduct the examinations efficiently, WAEC requires additional resources, including personnel and equipment such as scanners and biometric devices to curb malpractice. Although WAEC had some of these resources last year, the increasing number of candidates necessitates the procurement of more equipment and the recruitment of additional personnel. The council’s inability to introduce new measures to prevent malpractice is a significant concern.
Mr. Kapi also highlighted the agitation among supervisors, invigilators, examiners, and script checkers due to delays in payments from previous engagements. He reiterated WAEC’s commitment to conducting credible examinations and appealed for adequate logistics and funding to execute its mandate effectively.
by Kwesi Traffic | Personality Profile
Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh (KB Tandoh) is the Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access of the Ghana Education Service. Prior to being appointed to the GES, he was a consultant with the World Bank serving as the Instructional Coordinator on the Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP).
Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh Background
His experience in education spans more than two decades with national and international experience. He served as the Executive Director for Schools for AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Schools in Obuasi. While serving with AGA Dr. Tandoh established the Williams and Brew School as a Cambridge Accredited school. He has worked as Principal for Risingsun Montessori Schools, Lead Consultant and Executive Director of Goodwin College Ghana, an American College in East Hartford, Connecticut. He served as the Vice Principal for Academic and Student Affairs for CTC International Schools in Lagos, Nigeria.
Dr. Tandoh served for 3 years as the Program Coordinator (Head of Department) for the Human Services Program at Saint Louis Community College in the USA where he also held the position of a full-time faculty member. In student residential life, his expericne includes serving as Residence Hall Coordinator at Saint Louis University, Missouri USA and as Residential Area Coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, USA. Dr. Tandoh also held a concurrent position while at Millikin University as Director for Multicultural and International Students Affairs. The City of Decatur appointed him as chairman for the Diversity Committee during his tenure at Millikin University.
From 1999 to 2005 and in 2006/2007 academic years, he served in a number of capacities as a professional and paraprofessional educator at the University of Connecticut. His positions included Residence Advisor, Peer Educator, Program Coordinator of the Health Professions Partnership Initiatives, the Program Coordinator of the Health Professions Academy and the Community Based Education Specialist for the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Tandoh has also served as a Legislative Aide to then Connecticut State Senator Gary D. LeBeau as well as the Legislative Liaison to the Health Careers Opportunities Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
Since 1999, Dr. Tandoh has been a UNESCO Comparative Human Rights Ambassador and Fellow and served as a Junior Facilitator in the UNESCO Human Rights Inter generational Forum in the USA in 2009. In 2010 and 2011, he served as a Senior Facilitator in the UNESCO Human Rights Inter generational Fora in Rwanda and Italy respectively.
Other professional appointments include serving on the Institutional Affairs Council at Saint Louis Community College, Academic Program Reviewer for Missouri College’s Dental Hygiene Program and served on the prestigious Student Life Committee at the University of Connecticut in 1999. He has also held the position of Adjunct Professor at the University of Hartford in the Department of Sociology. He served on the Rowe Scholars Steering Committee at the University of Connecticut Health Center and was the President of the Organization of Black Social Work Students at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work for two consecutive years (2003 – 2005), the first person to be elected twice to the office. In 2003, he was awarded the prestigious Peer Educator of the Year Award at the University of Connecticut. He received the Outstanding Faculty Award at Saint Louis Community College in both 2009 and 2010 and also received the Service Excellence Award from Saint Louis Community College in 2010.
He holds a BA in Urban and Community Planning and a Master of Social Work with a focus in Social Development and Clinical Practice from the University of Connecticut. His Ph.D. work is from Saint Louis University in Higher Education Leadership and Administration. Dr. Tandoh holds professional memberships and associations including the Council on Social Work Education, National Association of Black Social Workers, NAFSA – Association of International Educators and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).
by Kwesi Traffic | Personality Profile
Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu Deputy A.g Director-General(MS). He was previously the Regional Director for Western-North region where he executed his responsibilities diligently.
Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu Background
He is a native of Wiamaose in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Owusu is happily married to Mrs. Evelyn Owusu with three beautiful children. He is a proud old student of Okomfo Anokyi Secondary School and Prempeh college where he attained his O’level and A’ level certificates respectively. He is also a graduate of University of Education, Winneba where he was awarded Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Secretarial, Management and English Language). He also has a Master’s Degree in Education (Administration in Higher Institutions).
With his over twenty-five (25) years of experience working in the Service, Mr. Owusu seeks to model education leadership and become an education leader of excellence. He is committed to placing his knowledge and professional experience at the disposal of GES in providing holistic, inclusive and equitable formal education to all Ghanaian school aged children. He aspires to reach the pinnacle of education leadership in Ghana and beyond.
by Kwesi Traffic | Personality Profile
Dr Eric Nkansah is the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES). Over the years, he has worked as a subject teacher (both at Junior and Senior High Schools), banker, lecturer, and policy maker.
Dr. Eric Nkansah Background
Between the years 2000 and 2006, he taught at Christian Education Complex Junior High School and Kintampo Senior High School both at Kintampo.
In 2007, he joined Barclays Bank of Ghana (now Absa) where he worked for about six years and rose to the position of Sales Manager. In 2010, whilst working with the bank, he lectured part-time at the Business School of Garden City University College, Kumasi.
In 2012, he left the bank and took up a full-time lecturer position at Kumasi Technical University and a part-time lecturing job at the Graduate School of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He rose to the position of a Senior Lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University. Dr Nkansah contributed immensely to teaching, research, programme development, and other academic work to the development of these universities.
In 2014, Dr Nkansah founded Career Spring Institute, a licensed tuition provider for training members of local and international professional bodies and specialised consultancy for small, medium, and large corporations. He worked as the Executive Director and a Lecturer at the Institute.
In April 2021, he joined the Ministry of Education on secondment from the University as the Director in charge of Tertiary Education and a Technical Advisor to the Minister for Education. He contributed immensely to the formulation of educational policies at the Ministry. On 19th October 2022, H.E. the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, appointed him as the Director-General of Ghana Education Service, a position he holds presently.
He holds a PhD in Financial Economics from the University of Zululand, South Africa, a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from KNUST Business School, Ghana, and B. A (Hons) Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He has attended many educational conferences (both local and international), including conferences organized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Journals & Publication
Dr Eric Nkansah has published widely in peer-reviewed academic journals and he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB), Ghana. He also serves on the following boards, committees and governing councils:
1) Chairman, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Ghana
2) Member, The Ghana Education Service Occupational Pension Scheme (GESOPS)
3) Member, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
4) Member, Eman Capital Microfinance Board
5) Member, University of Education, Winneba
6) Member, Koforidua Technical University (KTU)
7) Member, Junior Achievement (JA) Ghana
8) Member, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NASIA)
9) Member, National Sports Authority (NSA)
10) Member, Capital Market Master Plan Working Group, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
11) Member, St. Louis College of Education
12) Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers
Dr Eric Nkansah is passionate about educating and developing people and believes that educating the population is the fastest way to transform our country.
by Kwesi Traffic | Blog, WASSCE Results Checker
If you a looking to buy a WAEC Scratch Card, chances are you have already sat for your WAEC examinations and your results are out. Probably, you want to buy the WAEC Scratch Card and use it to apply for a school abroad.
Here is what you need to know about buying WAEC Scratch Card.
Overview
WAEC Scratch Card are used to check all WASSCE Results, SSCE, NovDec, ABCE and GBCE results for Ghanaian Students. You can easily buy one online per preference. It is not difficult to get a WASSCE Results Check card.
What you need to do
To buy WAEC Scratch Card, you need to visit checkercards.com retail shop online or visit a nearby Internet Cafe to get your cards. After that, visit the WASSCE Results Checker portal. Input the details there and submit to check your WASSCE Results or apply for a school abroad.
How to buy WAEC Scratch Card Online
Here is how you can buy your WASSCE Results Checker online;
1. Go to Checker Cards website: https://www.checkercards.com/
2. Select WASSCE Results Checker.
3. Select the quantity of cards you want to buy.
4. Click on “Buy Now”.
5. Fill in the details by adding your First name, Last name, Phone Number and Email Address.
6. Scroll down and click on “Proceed To Payment”.
7. Select “Pay with Mobile Money” and enter your MoMo number.
8. Click on “Confirm”.
9. Approve payment on your phone.
Footnotes
The are a number of websites to buy WAEC Scratch Card, however, Checkercard.com is the number 1 most responsive retail website to buy all your WAEC checker cards. We make sure all those who buy our cards are well sorted.
