The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has identified the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti Regions as the leading hotspots for examination malpractices across the country.

According to the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, these regions have consistently recorded high cases of exam irregularities over the past two years, with the Central Region also showing a worrying upward trend.

“The hotspots in the country are the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti regions. You may think the figures elsewhere are higher, but in recent years, we’ve seen the Central Region’s numbers begin to rise as well,” Mr. Kapi said on the AM Show on JoyNews.

He explained that while the figures vary annually, the pattern indicates that certain areas have become repeat offenders in exam malpractice incidents. These involve cases such as cheating, impersonation, and the circulation of leaked papers.

WAEC, he said, continues to collaborate with security agencies and education authorities to curb the trend, especially as the Council investigates cases from the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Council recently dismissed reports suggesting that over 34,000 results had been withheld, insisting that no official figures had been released yet.

Mr Kapi reiterated that investigations into reported malpractices are still ongoing and that any official statement would come directly from WAEC.

WAEC has, over the years, intensified its efforts to ensure the integrity of its examinations, introducing measures such as serialised papers, enhanced monitoring, and real-time communication with supervisors.

The Council has also urged candidates and the public to desist from engaging in or promoting exam malpractices, warning that such actions threaten the credibility of Ghana’s education system.