A total of 473,658 final-year senior high school (SHS) students from Ghana will sit the 2026 May-June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates alongside candidates from Liberia, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

The development marks Ghana’s return to the international examination after five years of writing a Ghana-only version, following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ghanaian candidates comprise 248,461 males and 225,197 females drawn from 1,020 public and private second-cycle schools. The figure represents a 2.58 per cent increase over last year’s 461,736 candidates.

The Head of Public Affairs of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic during a briefing on arrangements for Ghana’s return to the May-June WASSCE-SC.

He said WAEC had begun preparations for the examination, with the printing of examination scripts already underway.

Explaining Ghana’s return to the international version, Mr Kapi said it meant all WAEC member countries would now write the examination at the same time.

He noted that the examination remained international in nature, with member countries involved in key preparatory processes, including moderation of questions and compilation of examination materials.

Mr Kapi said representatives from member countries also take part in discussions on marking schemes and grading standards after the examination, including determination of grade boundaries such as A1 to F9.

He added that this process ensures uniformity across member countries, especially in relation to grading and awards for academic excellence.

On examination security, Mr Kapi said WAEC had strengthened measures over the years to protect the integrity of the process.

He stated that printing facilities are secured with internal security personnel and police presence around the clock, with additional support from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) during working hours.

He added that access to printing halls is strictly controlled, including dress code requirements for authorised personnel, and that CCTV cameras have been installed at examination facilities.

According to him, examination scripts are kept in secured depots under constant surveillance, with security personnel deployed to safeguard them.

Mr Kapi further said monitoring teams regularly visit examination centres to prevent malpractice, supported by security agencies and National Security operatives.

He called on teachers, students, parents, and community leaders to support efforts to eliminate examination malpractice, describing it as a potential national security concern.

He also noted that serialisation of examination questions has been introduced as part of measures to reduce malpractice.