More than 620,000 candidates across Ghana have begun the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) today, Monday, May 4, amid intensified efforts by authorities to curb examination malpractice.
The nationwide examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is expected to run until May 11. A total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools are participating in this year’s exercise.
WAEC says it has put in place stricter monitoring systems and enforcement measures to ensure the integrity of the examination, which plays a critical role in determining students’ placement into senior high schools.
Officials have issued a strong warning to candidates to adhere strictly to the examination rules, stressing that any form of malpractice will attract severe sanctions.
“Candidates found engaging in any form of malpractice will face serious consequences,” a WAEC official cautioned, adding that the possession of prohibited materials, particularly mobile phones, will not be tolerated in examination halls.
The council also warned against any form of misconduct toward supervisors and invigilators, noting that acts such as assault, intimidation, or disruption of the examination process could lead to strict disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, revealed that individuals previously implicated in examination malpractice have been barred from participating in this year’s exercise.
“All supervisors and invigilators under investigation for their alleged involvement in last year’s BECE have been excluded from this year’s process,” he stated.
Authorities say the enhanced measures are part of broader efforts to protect the credibility of the BECE and ensure a fair and transparent assessment for all candidates across the country.
