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The Deputy Education Minister, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has disclosed that the government has paid GH¢40 million to the West African Examination Council (WAEC), ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Earlier, the Minority in Parliament had expressed concerns about the fate of the upcoming WASSCE and BECE if the government failed to settle all outstanding debts owed to WAEC.
The Minority Spokesperson on Education, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, had urgently requested over GH₵50 million to be paid to WAEC to fulfil its financial obligations and facilitate the seamless organization of the 2023 examinations.
However, in a response on Eyewitness News, the deputy education minister provided assurance that the government has taken action to address the issue, successfully clearing a significant portion of the debt.
“I wish to state emphatically that all arrangements to begin BECE on August 7 are in place, nothing has changed. BECE will be conducted by WAEC unabated. There were some concerns of indebtedness which were brought to our attention, that matter between the Ministry of Education and WAEC have engaged. As of yesterday [July 26], an amount of GH¢40 million has been paid to WAEC, to support them in their operations,” Reverend Ntim-Fordjour revealed.
The Public Relations Office of WAEC, Winifred Ampiaw, revealed that only GH¢10.5 million has been paid to WAEC for BECE while GH¢40 million cedis has been paid for the conduct of WASSCE.
“I can say that we have received some amount of money that will enable us to conduct the exams, for both WASSCE and BECE. However, there’s a payment plan to pay the rest. So far we have received GH¢10.5 million to be able to conduct BECE, and for WASSCE, we have received GH¢40 million. This amount will enable us to take care of the pre-exams activities and the conduct of the exams itself. We are looking forward that we will be able to receive the other part. GH¢55 million in total received, I know for a fact that we have received the money”.
She assured the public of WAEC’s position to conduct the exams, adding that the money formed part of the payment for this year’s exams.
“The payment is for this year’s exams, we are supposed to spend a rough estimate of GH¢18 million for BECE. WASSCE, the total cost for just the pre and the conduct of the main will take us to GH¢63.5. We are left with about GH¢7.5 million. However, I want to assure the public that yes, we are in the position to conduct both exams for this year,” she assured.
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