WAEC acknowledges receipt of additional GHS35m from Education Ministry

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed receiving an additional GHS35 million from the Ministry of Education (MoE) to facilitate the processing of the 2024 WASSCE results.

This follows a public exchange between the Ministry and WAEC after the Ministry urged the Council’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) to verify facts internally before making statements that could mislead the public or undermine the Ministry’s efforts.

Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, assured journalists during a visit to WAEC’s offices on Tuesday, December 24, that the results would be released by December 29. He stated that WAEC was finalizing the marking process and working to ensure timely publication of the results.

However, WAEC refuted claims made by the Minister, particularly regarding an additional release of GHS25 million for operational activities. The Council initially indicated that it could not guarantee the December 29 timeline based on the stated financial assurances.

In a subsequent clarification issued by the Ministry on Thursday, December 26, it noted that WAEC had formally acknowledged, in a letter dated December 20, 2024, the receipt of GHS25 million. The Ministry added that WAEC had requested an additional GHS35 million to expedite the results processing, which the Ministry honoured.

But John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, in a statement issued on Friday, December 27, noted WAEC “wishes to inform its stakeholders that on December 25, 2024, it received a cheque for an additional GHS35,000,000 from the Ministry of Education to enable it to complete the scanning of the objective answer cards and conclude the processing of results for the WASSCE for school candidates, 2024.”

He said the council was working round the clock to ensure the results were released by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, he appealed to the MoE to release the outstanding balance to enable it to pay supervisors, invigilators, script checkers, and suppliers of examination materials, and also meet other financial obligations.

“The council wishes all its stakeholders the best of the season and assures them of its commitment to the execution of its mandate despite the challenges,” he added.