The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has voiced disappointment over the GH¢25 million recently released by the government, describing it as insufficient to offset its GH¢118 million debt.
This financial shortfall continues to delay the release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, leaving students, parents, and schools in limbo.
John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, expressed concern about the inadequacy of the funds during a media briefing.
According to him, the amount provided barely covers critical operational needs, including paying technicians to work on essential machinery.
“Obviously, that [the GH¢25 million] was just a drop in the ocean as far as the amount of money required for the job we are supposed to do is concerned.
“We indicated to the minister earlier that we owed our technicians GH¢25 million, which we had to pay before they even started to work on the machines. Besides, there are other operations that we have to do,” he explained.
Kapi further stressed that the released funds would be consumed entirely by outstanding payments to technicians, leaving no resources for other critical operations.
“If we decide to invite the technicians today or even tomorrow, all they are going to ask for is the outstanding payment. And so all of that GH¢25 million will go,” he added.
The delay in releasing the WASSCE results has caused widespread frustration among stakeholders, with calls mounting for the government to urgently settle WAEC’s outstanding debt to facilitate the Council’s operations and restore confidence in the examination process.
