The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrissu, has announced that the top 10 WASSCE students honoured at this year’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Distinction Awards Ceremony will receive GETFUND-sponsored scholarships, courtesy of President John Dramani Mahama.
Mahama Expands Scholarship Scheme from Top 3 to Top 10
Originally intended for only the top three candidates, the scholarship programme has been expanded by presidential directive to include the 10 best-performing students from the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) cohort.
“All awardees, the overall best-performing candidates in WASSCE every other year, will be determined solely by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and will qualify for President Mahama’s scholarship,” Minister Iddrissu said.
He further clarified that these scholarships will be awarded biennially and hinted at a future expansion of the scheme to include brilliant students from other West African states.
Students Urged to Uphold Integrity and Responsible Digital Habits
Addressing the award winners, Haruna Iddrissu advised them to embrace integrity and character as key values in their academic and professional journeys.
“We should be focused on character — not just literacy and numeracy,” he said. The Minister also encouraged students to use mobile phones positively, noting that “these devices are double-edged swords.”
2024 WASSCE’s best students celebrated
Emerging as the overall best candidate in the 2024 WASSCE was David Nii Commey Ankrah, a former student of Hope College in Gomoa-Fetteh.
David achieved A1 grades in all his subjects and is currently pursuing Pharmacy at the University of Cape Coast. He received a laptop and a cheque for GH¢30,000.
In second place was Henschel Tabi Frempong-Manso, an alumnus of Kade Senior High Technical School, who also attained A1 grades in all eight subjects.
He is studying Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and was awarded GH¢20,000 and a laptop.
Benedict Ofori Debrah of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, placed third.
He likewise earned straight A1s in eight subjects and is currently enrolled in Human Biology at KNUST.
He received a GH¢15,000 cheque and a laptop.
WAEC, GES warn against exam fraud
The Head of the WAEC National Office, Dr. Rosemond Wilson, praised the students, saying, “These awards are a testament to what hard work, determination, and deep focus can achieve.”
However, she raised concerns over increasing examination malpractices, pointing to the rise of so-called “examination entrepreneurs” who use messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to sell leaked questions.
She praised law enforcement agencies for intensifying efforts to track and prosecute those involved in these illegal activities.
Invest More in Education, GES Boss Urges
Professor Ernest Davis, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), in a speech read on his behalf, urged the awardees not to see their achievements as the final destination but as a foundation for lifelong excellence.
He reminded them that “the future of the nation lies in their hands,” emphasising that their success was a product of discipline.
He also called on educational authorities to commit to improving infrastructure and investing in quality education at all levels across the country.
