The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has temporarily called off its planned protest against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
This follows assurances that the delayed West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results will be released by February 28.
NUGS President, Daniel Korley Botchway, explained that the union had initially decided to hit the streets because it believed WAEC was unfairly withholding the results of Ghanaian students.
“And although we were very much aware that WAEC had issued a date or set a deadline for themselves, being the 28th to release results, we didn’t take much of it because we had engaged WAEC right back as the 2nd of January on these issues, met with them on the 10th of January, and it had not availed much.
“And so in that regard, even when they set a deadline for themselves to release the results, we saw it as another ploy to continue to delay. It was for that reason we set today to embark on a protest.”
Daniel Korley Botchway
He disclosed that several engagements had taken place behind the scenes, including discussions with the Minister for Education, who referred the issue to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
This led to a critical stakeholder meeting on February 24, involving WAEC officials and the GES Director-General, Prof. David.
According to Botchway, the meeting secured a firm commitment from WAEC that “the students of Ghana would receive their results before the 1st of March”.
While NUGS has chosen to trust WAEC’s promise, Botchway warned that failure to meet the deadline would have severe consequences.
“Well, that would be very unfortunate. They would have broken our trust, and they would have also brought serious embarrassment to the Director-General for the Ghana Education Service because it was at his insistence that we decided to listen and suspend this planned demonstration.”
Daniel Korley Botchway
He revealed that all preparations had been completed for the protest, including police clearances, planned routes, and printed placards.
He indicated that if WAEC fails to meet the deadline, the union will be left with no option but to resume protests, as such a failure would severely damage trust and make future engagements difficult.
Additionally, he disclosed that NUGS has reached an agreement with GES to implement policy reforms aimed at preventing similar delays in the future.
Calling For Timelines In WAEC Investigations
Furthermore, Daniel Korley Botchway stressed that NUGS has always maintained that WAEC must do its work thoroughly, especially when investigating suspected exam malpractice.
However, he argued that the council’s discretionary powers in withholding results should have clear limitations.
“It is just like how the Ghana Police Service is constrained to complete their investigations in 48 hours. Police must seek a court or a judge to remand someone they believe has committed a crime.
“WAEC cannot, under the guise of investigation, decide when they will finish their investigation.”
Daniel Korley Botchway
He pointed out that the lack of clear timelines results in unnecessary delays, creating frustration for students and their families.
He stressed the need for WAEC to establish specific deadlines for completing investigations to provide students with much-needed certainty.
Botchway also addressed concerns about exam malpractice and increasing levels of indiscipline in schools, acknowledging that these remain critical challenges despite measures put in place by WAEC.
“Beyond even this issue of cheating, the issue of indiscipline, and violence in our schools has been topical and in the news all over.
“NUGS is working hand in hand with the Ghana Education Service to bring up a new program that is part of the new SHS curriculum that has been introduced, what has been named the Essential Values Handbook for Youth, and is being introduced, and we are almost at the stage of introducing the piloting.”
Daniel Korley Botchway
He revealed that the program has already undergone a pilot phase involving 98 senior high school heads, followed by training sessions for counseling coordinators and regional cluster training.
The final stage, he noted, will focus on peer counseling training, equipping students to lead discussions in their schools.
He emphasized that reintroducing these essential values is crucial, as there is a noticeable gap that cannot be attributed to any single stakeholder.
Social Media And The Youth
Moreover, Daniel Korley Botchway underscored the growing influence of technology and social media on students, stressing the importance of proactive measures to address its downsides.
He noted that while technological advancements have brought numerous benefits, the rapid pace of digital adoption has made it difficult for society to keep up with its negative impacts.
The widespread use of social media, in particular, has introduced both opportunities and challenges, requiring deliberate efforts to mitigate harmful effects such as distractions, misinformation, and indiscipline among students.
He called for a balanced approach that maximizes the advantages of technology while putting safeguards in place to protect young learners.
As part of the ongoing effort, NUGS is actively involved in monitoring the implementation of the Essential Values Handbook, with Botchway personally overseeing training sessions in Tamale and Bolgatanga. “By September, there will be a full nationwide rollout of these essential values for youth handbook in all the second-cycle institutions.”
With NUGS securing crucial commitments from WAEC and GES, all eyes are now on the examination council to see if it will fulfill its February 28 deadline for releasing the withheld WASSCE results.
