A total of 1,741 candidates from 61 schools sat for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Effutu Municipality of Ghana’s Central Region, with municipal authorities pledging stronger support for academic excellence and discipline among students.
Of the total number of candidates registered, 919 were males while 822 are females, according to the Effutu Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES). Officials also confirmed that no cases of pregnancy or examination malpractice had been recorded at the start of the nationwide examination exercise, a development education authorities described as encouraging.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Effutu, Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, toured examination centres in Winneba on Thursday, May 7, 2026 to motivate candidates and monitor the conduct of the exams. During the visit, he interacted with students, invigilators, and school authorities, urging candidates to remain calm and confident throughout the examination period.
“You have prepared for this moment, so do not be afraid,” the MCE told candidates. “Believe in yourselves, stay focused, and approach each paper with confidence and discipline.”
In a move aimed at promoting academic excellence within the municipality, Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah announced a full senior high school scholarship package for the candidate who emerges as the overall best student in Effutu in this year’s BECE.
According to him, the initiative was intended to reward hard work, inspire healthy academic competition, and encourage students to strive for excellence despite social and economic challenges confronting many families.
The examinations were being conducted at two centres in the municipality, the Winneba Senior High School Centre and the newly created University Practice North Campus Centre.
Speaking during the monitoring exercise, the Public Relations Officer of the Effutu GES Directorate, Mr. Ntiful, disclosed that the newly established examination centre encountered operational difficulties on the first day of the examinations.
He explained that when candidates and examination officials arrived at the centre on Monday morning, the environment was not in a suitable condition for academic work and had to be cleaned before the first paper could begin.
“Although the situation created some initial challenges, officials, supervisors, and stakeholders quickly collaborated to put the place in order to ensure the examinations started successfully,” he said.
Despite the early setback, examination activities later proceeded smoothly across both centres under tight supervision and in a peaceful atmosphere.
Education stakeholders in the municipality praised the orderly conduct of candidates and invigilators and were optimistic that the examinations would conclude without incidents of malpractice or indiscipline.
The BECE, administered nationwide by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), remains a critical milestone in Ghana’s educational system, determining placement of candidates into senior high schools across the country.
Authorities in Effutu said they remained committed to improving educational standards and creating opportunities for students to excel academically.
Story By: Charles Baah Aboagye & Paa Kwesi Budu Mensah
Picture Credit: Paa Kwesi Budu Mensah
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