The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a stern warning to all stakeholders in the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to refrain from any form of examination malpractice.
The caution follows reports by the West African Examinations Council of seven malpractice cases involving teachers and invigilators across the Central, Bono, and Ashanti Regions on the first day of the exams.
In a statement from the Ministry of Education Ghana, the Minister stressed the need for strict adherence to examination regulations by candidates, teachers, heads of schools, invigilators, and supervisors. He warned that anyone found culpable would face severe sanctions.
The Ministry described individuals who engage in examination malpractice as “enemies of the state,” emphasizing that such acts would be dealt with decisively.
It further warned that candidates caught cheating—whether through possession of unauthorised materials, collusion, or external assistance—risk having their results cancelled.
Teachers, invigilators, supervisors, and school authorities who facilitate or ignore malpractice could face disciplinary measures, including dismissal, interdiction, and possible prosecution.
The statement also referenced enforcement actions from the previous year, indicating that of 40 individuals caught aiding examination malpractice, eight have been convicted and sentenced, while 32 cases remain before the courts. Those convicted have already been dismissed and will be removed from the payroll of the Ghana Education Service.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity of national examinations, the Ministry disclosed that, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, the West African Examinations Council, and security agencies, strict monitoring and enforcement measures have been deployed across all 2,303 examination centres nationwide.
The Ministry warned that any attempt to compromise the credibility of the 2026 BECE would attract immediate and severe sanctions.
It concluded by wishing candidates success as the examination, which began earlier this week, is expected to end on May 11, 2026.
