A swarm of wild bees attacked candidates writing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Wa School for the Deaf Centre on Thursday, injuring two students and disrupting the exams.
The victims—a male and a female candidate—were rushed to the Wa Municipal Hospital for treatment. While the male candidate was treated and discharged in time to write the second paper, Career Technology, the female candidate was detained and missed the exam.
The incident occurred shortly after the English Language paper, when staff from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) pruned a tree near the examination centre, disturbing a beehive in the process.
Upper West Regional Controller of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Donald Tuor, confirmed the incident in an interview. He noted that efforts are underway to seek clemency for the female candidate who missed the paper.
“We are considering pursuing a clemency case for her because it was not her fault. Though the subject is compulsory, it is not a core subject, so she can still be graded,” Mr. Tuor explained.
He also disclosed that WAEC is investigating multiple cases of examination malpractice in the region. So far, one invigilator in the Wa Municipality has been dismissed, while another is on the run.
“All reported cases will be thoroughly investigated, and any individual found culpable will face the necessary sanctions,” Mr. Tuor said, adding that teachers involved in malpractice will be reported to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service for disciplinary action.
This year, a total of 14,733 candidates—7,928 females and 6,805 males—from 620 schools, along with 169 private candidates, registered for the BECE in the Upper West Region. The exams are being conducted in 51 centres, supported by nine examination depots.
