The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has expressed concern over delays in paying invigilators and supervisors engaged to conduct recent examinations.

According to WAEC's Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, the government owes the Council more than GH₵50 million in outstanding payments from 2022 and 2023, including invigilators' fees, marking allowances, and practical fees.

Mr. Kapi has counselled that any further delay in payment by the Finance Ministry could negatively impact the conduct of this year's examinations.

“So, for 2022, the government still owes us GH₵9.9 million. For the 2023 examination, we also have an outstanding balance of GH₵49 million, and for practical fees, we have an outstanding balance of GH₵7.4 million.

“These are balances yet to be paid to the council. So far, we have received some money that we are going to pay the invigilators and supervisors. We are waiting for further information so that we can also settle the payment for antennary examiners, supervisors, and invigilators for the WASSCE candidate in 2023.”

The Head of Legal Team of WAEC, Victor Brew also expressed concern over the increasing number of students engaging in malpractices during examinations.

He noted that, while the exact number of malpractice cases is difficult to determine due to the emergence of new cases, there has been a significant increase over the years.

Mr. Brew added that WAEC has stepped up its efforts to combat malpractices, working closely with the security agencies and the courts to apprehend and prosecute offenders.

“The courts are collaborating with us better and better. Last year, we held a seminar with judges, circuit judges, and magistrates, and we brought up our challenges, and they also communicated to us some of the things we should pay attention to, to make prosecution smoother”.