The Ministry of Education has denied assertions by the Minority in Parliament that the Government of Ghana owes the West African Examination Council (WAEC) about GH¢21 million.
It is recalled that the Minority Member of Parliament for Akatsi North, Peter Nortsu Kotoe, earlier said that as of Friday July 15, the Government of Ghana had still not finished paying the WAEC for the conduct of the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
He said the Government owed a balance of Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety Thousand and Seventy-Two Ghana Cedis (GH₵ 15,790,072.00) for the WASSCE and Seven Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five Ghana Cedis (7,221,755.00) for the BECE.
This made a total outstanding debit of Twenty – Three Million, Eleven Thousand, and Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven Ghana Cedis (GH₵ 23,011,827.00) on the two examinations for 2021, he added.
Making a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Nortsu-Kotoe said the greatest problem facing the WAEC in the discharge of its mandate was the inadequate release of funds to the Council.
“Mr. Speaker, the situation has become dire as no money has been released to WAEC for the conduct of the 2022 WASSCE and BECE. WAEC immediately needs a total of Ninety-Six Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty -Two Ghana Cedis and Forty Pesewas (GH₵ 96,694,432.40) to engage in a number of pre -examination activities, transportation, and allowances for examiners, supervisors, invigilators and depot-keepers.
“Mr. Speaker, it is disheartening to know that persons who supervised and invigilated the BECE for school candidates as well as script checkers for 2021 are yet to be paid the allowances due them.
Builsa South lawmaker, Dr Clement Apaak also made similar comments.
But Deputy Minister of Education, Rev John Ntim Fordjour explained that the government will ensure that anything that WAEC needs is given to them.
“Disregard what Dr. Apaak is saying. We have resourced WAEC. Government houses WAEC’s headquarters right here in Accra, and we have always been bringing our compatriots in the Gambia, Serria Leonne, and Liberia. So we will ensure that anything that WAEC needs, we will give to them.
“So disregard the propaganda. Every examination that the Ministry has scheduled with WAEC will come off. So disregard any rumours that we are going to suspend or cancel any examination that we have arranged. Every obligation has been met with WAEC, so every attempt that seeks to mar the relationship must be discredited,” he said.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana