Gov’t releases Gh₵80m to settle arrears of WAEC

Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, has made it clear that the government has paid off a sizable amount of the debt owed to the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).

This comes after WAEC revealed that budgetary constraints may force it to postpone the forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

According to John Kapi, the WAEC Director of Public Affairs, the council will require approximately GH₵90 million to administer the exams.

He made it clear that even though the exam papers have been printed, no money is available to send WAEC representatives to oversee the exams or to distribute them. As a result, the test may not happen until the money is received.

Yusif Sulemana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) member of parliament for Bole Bamboi, responded to the problem in Parliament on Friday, June 21, by pleading with the education minister to concentrate on paying off the debt.

He conveyed his apprehension regarding WAEC’s fiscal challenges and underscored the pressing need to address the matter.

“Today as we speak, WAEC is complaining that they do not even have money to conduct BECE exams. That is what we should draw our attention to. We don’t see that as urgent and we don’t see that as an issue we should address immediately.

“BECE will be written very soon and WAEC is unable to raise money to do it and nobody is talking about that. I think that the Minister should be interested in raising money for WAEC to be able to conduct BECE exams for our children”he said.

On the other hand, the Minority leadership and Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, disclosed in parliament that they have been informed that a substantial release of up to GH₵80 million has occurred from the nearly GH₵100 million debt.

“Myself and the Chief Whip, we followed up and we spoke to the Minister of State, Honourable Abena Osei-Asare. She got back to the Ministry, gave all the cheques, and confirmed that indeed they have made a significant release.

“We are told an amount of 80 million has been released… so please, the matter has been dealt with,” he said.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com