WAEC Expresses Concern over Insufficient Funding for BECE 2024, Says GH₵47 million is not Enough

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has expressed concern over insufficient government funding in Ghana, stating that the GH₵47 million allocated is inadequate to settle debts owed to its contractors. Despite the financial shortfall, WAEC reassured the public that the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) 2024 will proceed as scheduled on July 8.

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A recent controversy erupted when Nsawam Adoagyiri lawmaker, Annoh-Dompreh, claimed that the government disbursed GH₵80 million to WAEC. In response, WAEC clarified that it only received GH₵47.125 million, which falls short of the GH¢95.83 million needed to fully finance the upcoming BECE.

John Kapi, WAEC's Director of Public Affairs, emphasized the financial constraints faced by the council. "Currently, we have been able to print some answer booklets to the tune of about 12.6 million Cedis. We have been able to buy pencils amounting to 1.146 million Cedis and purchased bond paper for printing costing about 48 million Ghana Cedis," Kapi explained.

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Despite these preparations, Kapi expressed concern over WAEC's inability to settle outstanding debts owed to contractors. According to him, the examinations may be postponed due to insufficient funds.