By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor)
The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) is calling for sweeping reforms to Ghana’s educational assessment system, citing the rising concerns over the credibility and relevance of examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
In a statement titled “Beyond Grades: Unmasking the Crisis of Cancelled and Withheld WAEC Results in Ghana,” the National Executive Director of GNACOPS, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, raised alarm over what he described as systemic flaws that undermine fairness, innovation, and student preparedness for the modern workforce.
WAEC, which has served as the backbone of Ghana’s academic assessment for decades, is now facing growing scrutiny for its traditional, exam-centric model and repeated issues involving withheld or cancelled results. According to the statement, the current system promotes rote learning over critical thinking and stifles creativity among students.
“The system fails to adequately prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce,” Gyetuah stated. “It does not allow students to showcase their creative and innovative abilities—skills that are crucial in today’s fast-paced world.”
The GNACOPS leader also advocated for greater oversight of WAEC’s operations, suggesting that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) take on a regulatory role to ensure fairness, transparency, and stakeholder accountability in examination processes.
“NaCCA’s involvement could make WAEC’s processes more robust and credible,” the statement continued, emphasizing the need for external oversight to build trust among educators, students, and the wider public.
As part of the reform agenda, GNACOPS is urging a transition toward a competency-based assessment system that evaluates students on practical skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking rather than memorization. The organization believes such a model would not only align better with global educational standards but also enhance workforce readiness among Ghanaian youth.
Additionally, the proposal includes the creation of an independent assessment body involving both public and private stakeholders to design and oversee examination systems. This, according to GNACOPS, would foster a more inclusive and transparent system that reflects the evolving needs of the country’s education sector.
The call for reform comes amid widespread dissatisfaction from students and educators, especially in the wake of frequent WAEC result cancellations, which many perceive as unfair and opaque.
“Ghana’s education system is at a crossroads,” Gyetuah concluded. “The time for reform is now. We must come together to build a more effective, transparent, and accountable assessment system that truly serves the interests of all stakeholders.”
GNACOPS’ statement adds to the mounting pressure on policymakers and education authorities to rethink the country’s assessment framework and restore public confidence in national examinations.
Source; www.leakyghana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
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✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
