- 36 male inmates, including juveniles, participates in the 2025 BECE from four prison facilities across Ghana
- Candidates were prepared by qualified prison and GES teachers and escorted to nearby centres under guard
- Suspected cases of cheating occurred in Eastern, Bono East, Greater Accra, Bono, and Ashanti Regions
Thirty-six inmates across Ghana are currently sitting for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
All candidates are male and include 18 juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), seven from Nsawam Medium Security Prison, six from Ho Central Prison, and five from Kumasi Central Prison.
Chief Superintendent Adamu Abdul Latif, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, told the Daily Graphic that the inmates have been thoroughly prepared by both prison education staff and teachers from the Ghana Education Service. He expressed confidence in their performance.
According to him, inmates were registered at exam centres close to their respective facilities and were transported under guard to write the exams.
The BECE is a crucial national examination in Ghana that facilitates the transition from Junior High School to Senior High and Technical schools.
In line with international best practices, the Ghana Prisons Service introduced formal education programs for inmates in 2007, aiming to equip them with literacy and academic qualifications for smooth reintegration into society.
The first batch of 21 juveniles wrote the BECE in 2009, achieving a 100% pass rate, a record the Service has continued to maintain.
Examination Malpractices: More Arrests Made
Meanwhile, 16 additional examination officials have been arrested for their involvement in malpractice during the ongoing BECE, raising the total number of arrests to 25 within just three days.
Those arrested include two headteachers, one supervisor, and several invigilators. According to John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), two of the suspects are currently on the run, while the rest are in police custody awaiting interrogation and possible prosecution.
“Only three out of the 25 suspects are not teachers. Two headteachers were caught handing out materials to students during the exam,” Kapi said.
Key incidents were reported in Tinkong near Koforidua (Eastern Region), Atebubu, and Kintampo (Bono East Region), with additional cases in Greater Accra, Bono, and Ashanti Regions.
WAEC says its investigations and monitoring efforts are ongoing.
Two Candidates Die During BECE
Tragically, two BECE candidates have been reported dead during the examination period. One was a 14-year-old girl from Kwahu Praso in the Eastern Region, and the other incident occurred in Assin Amoakrom, Central Region.
