A JoyNews investigation has uncovered shocking details of systemic corruption in the conduct of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE), implicating officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and invigilators who accepted bribes as little as GH¢60 to aid candidates in cheating.
The exposé, titled Dark World of BECE and produced by JoyNews investigative journalist Francisca Enchill, revealed how examination malpractice was carefully orchestrated at several centres in Accra.
At the Derby Avenue RC Basic School, investigators found that invigilators were promised GH¢60 daily to allow candidates to sneak mobile phones into exam halls, use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, and even receive solved questions directly from officials.
The probe further revealed that at St. George’s Anglican School, supervisors distributed envelopes containing GH¢400 to invigilators, while candidates were instructed to make daily payments to ensure protection from scrutiny.
By the final paper, invigilators had introduced an “Aseda Offertory,” in which students were compelled to contribute at least GH¢5 each “in appreciation,” with the pooled funds shared among invigilators.
“Any payment that is made in the course of the examination to an invigilator or supervisor is illegal. It is not coming from WAEC. WAEC does not pay money in the course of the examination,”
— John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs, WAEC
The documentary also showed invigilators dictating answers, circulating handwritten and printed solutions, and then collecting the evidence before candidates left the hall. Supervisors acted as lookouts, shielding malpractice from WAEC and National Security monitors.
Education watchdogs have raised alarm over the long-term implications. Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, warned that such practices were grooming children to normalise corruption.
“We’re teaching children corruption in basic schools. Corruption 101 begins here. They grow up to normalise it, producing corrupt citizens and professionals,” he stated.
Acting Director-General of GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, has vowed tough action against implicated staff.
“We cannot work with staff who cheat. Why keep someone who carries questions to students in an exam hall instead of teaching them in class? Nobody wants to be operated on by a doctor who cheated their way through. We must stop this,” he stressed.
In 2025, WAEC recorded 43 arrests nationwide linked to malpractice, involving supervisors, teachers, and administrators. The Council has called for greater resources to recruit invigilators of higher integrity.
The Dark World of BECE documentary airs on Monday, September 8, 2025, on JoyNews’ AM Show, Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, and Joy Prime’s Prime Morning.
Source – My News Ghana
