Mayor of Accra Visits BECE Centres, Urges Candidates to Shun Exam Malpractices

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, on Wednesday, June 11, paid a working visit to six Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) centres across the metropolis to inspire candidates and reaffirm the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s commitment to their academic journey.

The centres visited included Rev. Thomas Clegg Basic School, Kaneshie Kingsway Cluster of Schools, Ministry of Health Basic School, St. Mary’s R/C Basic School, John Wesley Methodist School, and Bishop Mixed School.

At each centre, the Mayor offered words of motivation, urging candidates to place their confidence in their preparation and faith in God. He strongly discouraged reliance on leaked examination materials, popularly known as apor.

“At every centre I visited today, I advised the students not to rely on ‘apor’—it only misleads. You can never be certain what questions will appear. What will see them through is their hard work and the grace of God,” Mayor Allotey told the media.

At Rev. Thomas Clegg Basic School, he encouraged the students to trust in God and the knowledge they had acquired through consistent study. At Kaneshie Kingsway Cluster of Schools, he reiterated his stance against cheating and pledged to rehabilitate the school’s park if students passed their exams successfully.

At the Ministry of Health Basic School in Korle Bu, the Mayor commended students for their enthusiasm and reminded them that success lies in faith and determination. His visit to Bishop Mixed School was marked by a generous promise—scholarships for every student who passes the examination.

During a media interaction, Metro Director of Education, Mrs. Justine Ivy Apawu, disclosed that 5,784 candidates were taking part in this year’s BECE within the Accra Metropolitan area. The figure includes 2,363 boys and 3,421 girls, indicating a higher female turnout. She noted that all required logistics for a smooth examination process were delivered on time.

Mrs. Apawu also cautioned against examination malpractice, emphasizing that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had implemented strict measures to prevent cheating. “WAEC has ensured that Centre A’s questions differ from Centre B’s, and even within the same classroom, no two candidates receive identical question sets,” she stated.

Nationally, a total of 603,328 candidates—comprising 297,250 boys and 306,078 girls—are participating in the 2025 BECE. This marks a 5.99% increase from last year’s figure of 569,236. Candidates will sit for two papers daily, including subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Ghanaian Language, Religious and Moral Education, Creative Arts and Design, and Career Technology.

This year’s candidates are the first expected to benefit from the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy under the new administration, offering a significant opportunity for academic advancement and national development.