GHANA’s EDUCATION CRISIS
My fellow Ghanaians, we are in crisis– a crisis that transcends our politics. First, there was the data showing that our WASSCE results are getting worse. To sum up, there was a 20-point drop in Maths in 1 year, a 20-point drop in Social Sciences in 2 years and a more gentle slide in Integrated science.
As Professor Kwaku Asare put it, “These numbers suggest something fundamental is not working in the way we are educating our children.” These concerns were earlier made by the “National Forum on Education ” under the leadership of Professor Oduro.
This forum was addressed by the President who said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the big question at the center of the issues associated with aforementioned questions is how to ensure the provision of a balanced education for Ghana’s children and young people; an education that transforms them into globally competitive citizens.”
These concerns are not new. Indeed, they motivated the establishment of the Anamuah committee in 2002. The reaction of the former Education Minister, Dr. Adutwum and the Ghana Education Service should alarm all of us. Responding to Dr. Adutwum, the GES stated, “GES urges the public to disregard statements made by the former Education Minister and treat them as an attempt to shift focus from his shortcomings in managing the examination process”.
They were not done. They continued, “Management of GES views the 2025 WASSCE results as a true representation of the students abilities”. The GES added that “Prior to the examination, the Ministry of Education and the GES issued a firm directive that any teacher or official found aiding and abetting malpractice during the exams would face strong sanctions. This was rigorously enforced.”
In response, NPP and NDC officials and pundits have retreated into their partisan corners and are spinning conspiracy theories while trotting out their favorite “what-about” isms. Add to this the fact that WAEC complained about exam security in 2023 and President Mahama literally accused the previous NPP government–during the 2024 campaign– of encouraging cheating to help justify the success of free SHS and the scope of the problem becomes evident.
When as a class 6 pupil, I took my exam scripts home and it showed I was a good student, nobody doubted the credibility of my cyto teacher. When I got to Presec from OKESS, Reverend Mate Kojo and his team believed my teaching and examination had been done honestly.
The statement from GES has impugned the integrity of not just a Minister and his government but all the teachers who may have been involved and CHASS. And it has raised questions about what the GES was doing while the wholesale cheating was going on.
What is the role of an Education Minister in Exam Security? Were there a few good men who might be considered for Bagbin’s “Integrity Awards”? I can never imagine men like GR Bray and Rev. Mate Kojo– my two Headmasters signing on to helping students cheat! I know that those at the National Forum on Education are far more knowledgeable about education than I would ever be. But I know one thing. Helping children to cheat in exams at a young age will turn them into University students and professors who think money-for-grades and sex-for-grades are OK, into job applicants who claim academic laurels they have not earned and feel entitled to wealth they have not earned. This is more fundamental than maths and science.
Until we clear the air about whether people acted with integrity or not, we cannot have an honest inclusive discussion about education. Mr. President, respectfully, we need, more than new policies, a clearing of the air. I urge you to consider a Presidential commission that will look at education since the 2007 reforms and question people under oath to establish the truth of whether or not government and education officials helped children cheat.
With the air cleared, we can proceed to the serious task of joining together to educate our children while we leave mission schools alone to operate according to their faith. If you go to AMASS, you should not be surprised that they read and quote the Quran there. May God bless Ghana.
Arthur Kobina Kennedy (3rd December, 2025)
WASSCE 2025: Chief Examiner outlines causes of failure in core subjects
