The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has criticized the GH¢25 million released by the government to settle part of its GH¢118 million debt, calling it grossly inadequate for its operations.
In a statement, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, John Kapi, explained that the amount is far too small to cover the outstanding debts and enable the release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, which have been delayed due to financial constraints.
“The GH¢25 million is just a small fraction of what is needed to carry out our duties effectively,” Kapi said. He pointed out that part of the funds was urgently needed to settle a GH¢25 million debt owed to technicians, which is necessary before any work can be done on the examination machinery.
“If we bring in the technicians today or tomorrow, the first thing they’ll ask for is the outstanding payment. This means the GH¢25 million will be spent almost immediately,” Kapi added.
The delay in releasing the WASSCE results has caused frustration and anxiety among students, parents, and educational institutions, as the financial challenges facing WAEC continue to hamper its ability to function properly. The Council has called for greater financial support to ensure that its work is not further disrupted.