The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Ernest Kofi Davis, has praised the West African Examinations Council for recognising outstanding academic achievement through its Distinction Awards, describing the initiative as an important step in promoting excellence in education.

Speaking at the WAEC Distinction Awards ceremony on Thursday, March 12, which honoured Ghana’s top-performing candidates in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Prof Davis commended WAEC for instituting the award scheme to celebrate students who have excelled academically.

“I would like to commend the West African Examinations Council for instituting this award scheme where we honour our young ones who have excelled in their examination and for being committed to maintaining and promoting high standards in educational assessment,” he said.

He noted that the ceremony was not only about recognising academic performance but also celebrating the values that underpin success.

“Today, we celebrate excellence, integrity, determination, and hard work,” he added.

Prof Davis congratulated the awardees for distinguishing themselves among the thousands of candidates who sat the examination across the country.

“The young men and women we honour today have demonstrated that excellence is attainable through diligence and hard work. I congratulate all awardees for excelling among the many thousands who wrote the examination,” he said.

He further encouraged the students to remain focused and disciplined as they pursue higher education and future career paths.

“You have made your parents, teachers, and indeed the entire nation happy by these achievements. May I urge you to remain studious, committed, and disciplined as you pursue further education,” he stated.

The GES Director-General also used the occasion to acknowledge the contributions of teachers, parents and guardians whose support helped the students reach this milestone.

“I commend our gallant teachers, parents and guardians whose sacrifices, guidance and motivation have in no mean way propelled these young ones to this level,” he said.

The WAEC Distinction Awards ceremony forms part of efforts by the examination body to recognise exceptional performance in the WASSCE and encourage academic excellence among students across the country.