The Ministry of Education has rejected recent assertions by former President John Dramani Mahama regarding alleged lax supervision and collusion in the West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In a statement issued last Friday, the Ministry characterized Mahama's remarks as a "deliberate effort to diminish the significant progress achieved by the Ministry in enhancing learning outcomes in the country."

Highlighting the notable advancements in WASSCE results, the Ministry pointed to a substantial improvement from a 28.7 percent score (A1-C6) in Integrated Science in 2015 to an impressive 66.80 percent achieved by WASSCE candidates in 2023 under President Nana Akuffo Addo.

"We have achieved remarkable progress, and in recent years, WAEC has implemented various measures to combat exam malpractices during the BECE and WASSCE test administrations," the Ministry asserted.

They emphasized the stringent supervision measures put in place by WAEC in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service to ensure the integrity of the examinations.

The statement clarified that severe consequences awaited candidates caught engaging in cheating, with subject papers or entire exams being canceled depending on the nature of the malpractice. Invigilators and supervisors involved in malpractices were reported to law enforcement agencies and subjected to disciplinary proceedings, often resulting in termination from the Ghana Education Service.

The Ministry defended Ghana's exceptional performance in the WASSCE, citing the highest-ever 8 A1s recorded in 2020 and consistent improvement over the past six years.

They attributed this progress to interventions such as the Free SHS policy, which grants students access to better-prepared teachers, core textbooks, remedial packages, and increased teaching hours.

"The Ministry of Education assures our students, parents, guardians, and the general public that the quality of education and examinations at all levels, including the WASSCE, was not and will not be compromised," the statement concluded. It urged stakeholders to dismiss any information suggesting Ghana's withdrawal from the WAEC exams for WASSCE.