Twenty-two students of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) have been sacked for hacking into the university’s grading system.

The students allegedly paid between GH2000 and GH4000 to a yet to be named individual to hack and manipulate their grades for the 2015/16 academic year.

Some of them are unable to graduate because they failed some papers and the manipulation was therefore aimed at enabling them to graduate this year. 

This comes days after the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, revealed that some students of the university are in Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) grip for hacking into their grading system. 

Prof Oduro Owusu said the students hacked the university's grading system to change their grades but failed to cover the traces.  

“We are aware students [are] soliciting for help, linking up to people around, trying to break through our system to change grades and to do all sort of funny things,” he said.

He gave indications that the students will be sacked should the investigations of the BNI incriminate them. 

Grade manipulation by students is a worrying development that continues to engage school authorities. At least 10 students at the UPSA confessed to changing their grades in 2016.

The students told Joy News they paid various sums of money ranging from GH1,500 to GH4,000 to have their poor exam grades changed.

In the latest incident, authorities of the UPSA said the decision to expel the 22 taken without prejudice to any criminal investigations.

They said it is to discourage any such action in the university in the future. 

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing.