John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has confirmed the arrest of 43 teachers during the just-ended 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The 43 teachers were arrested over BECE examination malpractice.
According to WAEC, no students have been arrested in connection with the malpractice cases.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, John Kapi revealed, “That a total of 43 people had been arrested so far, all of whom are teachers.”
“Well, usually students are not put under arrest. Their statements are taken and then brought back to the office for further investigation before a final decision is taken about them,” he explained.
He further assured candidates, parents and stakeholders that the council is fully prepared for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
John Kapi revealed that some practical papers, as well as other subjects, have already been written successfully.
“Because of the numbers, especially coinciding with the BECE, we gave priority to the BECE. Now for this week, the oral English paper is going to take place, and as the weeks go by, we will get into full throttle,” he added.
The 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination began on Monday, May 4, with over 620,000 candidates across Ghana sitting for the exams.
The exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council will run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools set to participate.
The exam officials have disclosed that they have tightened measures to curb malpractice, taking a firm stance against examination malpractice.
Of the 620,000 candidates, 304,349 are boys, and 315,792 are girls, with the 2026 BECE candidate increasing by 16,813 candidates, or 2.7%, compared to the 2025 BECE 603,328 candidates.
Meanwhile, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister for Education, has announced that eight teachers and invigilators have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) malpractice.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, the teacher’s conviction and sentencing intensified efforts by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to curb malpractice.
Speaking during the 2026 BECE monitoring tour on Monday, May 4, 2026, the minister stated, “Last year, about eight teachers were involved in facilitating cheating, and they have been dealt with in accordance with the law. About eight of them have been convicted and sentenced, and they’ll be taken off the payroll of the Ghana Education Service”.
“We are particularly concerned about the growing phenomenon of exam malpractice. Last year, it affected about 178 candidates, and several papers were withheld. In some instances, the papers were cancelled,” he stated.
He added, “To you, the candidates, honesty and integrity define citizenship. Honesty and integrity define patriotism, and they must be the hallmark of your character moulding to be able to serve Ghana better tomorrow”.
“So don’t engage in any exam malpractice,” he added.
Haruna Iddrisu further cautioned invigilators, saying, “To our invigilators, we expect nothing short of the highest standard of integrity”.
“So we mean business, and we want this exercise to be conducted with the highest sense of integrity, as that defines your future and the kind of responsible citizens you will become tomorrow,” he said.