2026 BECE Commences with Over 620,000 Candidates Amid Calls for Integrity and Student Welfare

The 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) officially commenced across Ghana on May 4, with over 620,000 final-year junior high school students sitting for the high-stakes assessment. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has extended his best wishes to the candidates, urging them to remain calm and trust in their preparation. In a message delivered ahead of the start, he emphasized the importance of discipline and academic integrity, reminding students that their hard work would be the ultimate key to success in securing placement into senior high schools. The examination cohort includes 619,985 candidates from 20,395 schools within Ghana, along with 156 students from Togo and Benin.

To safeguard the credibility of the process, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has implemented rigorous anti-malpractice measures across the 2,302 designated centers nationwide. These regulations include a total ban on mobile phones and strict oversight to prevent misconduct toward supervisors. In a notable move to preserve integrity, WAEC has barred any officials previously linked to examination malpractice from participating in this year's exercise. The council has warned that any violations will result in severe penalties, as the examination is scheduled to run through May 11, 2026.

The start of the examination week has been marked by both community support and profound tragedy. In the Atwima Kwanwoma District, the Aduwamase Old Students Association (ASA) provided essential supplies, including mathematical sets and pens, to candidates at Aduwamase D/A Basic School to boost their confidence. However, a somber atmosphere prevailed in the Upper West Region following a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the lives of two candidates, Taufii Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid. The students, from Charia Roman Catholic JHS, were traveling to their examination center in Wa when the crash occurred; both succumbed to their injuries shortly thereafter.

Beyond the BECE, the broader education sector is grappling with concerns over student safety and rights. In the Ashanti Region, investigations are currently underway at Amaniampong Senior High School following allegations that a teacher assaulted a final-year student, Emmanuel Kwarteng, for skipping a mandatory all-night church service. The student is reportedly receiving medical treatment at Ejisu Government Hospital, while his family and local advocates call for the teacher's immediate interdiction. As the BECE continues, these events underscore the critical need for a safe and focused environment for all students during the national examination season.