Editorial
Let’s ensure incident-free 2022 WASSCE
The 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will begin on Monday, August 1, 2022, and run for four weeks until Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
Each year students, especially those who are not prepared for the examination try to cut corners or use other means to get undue advantage to make good grades contrary to the rules guiding the conduct of examination by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Scammers who operate on fake websites lure candidates to access leaked examination question papers, usually referred to as “Appor,” on these websites and on social media to attract the candidates and later exploit them.
However, WAEC has put measures in place to check these practices and assured that preparations towards the smooth running of the examination were on course.
Fortunately, to avoid delays and for security reasons, WAEC has moved the depots, where examination question papers are stored, closer to the examination centres.
This is a step in the right direction and The Spectator commends the Council for this brilliant initiative as it would help reduce any leakages of examination question papers.
Indeed, WAEC is making the effort to sensitise candidates to the rules and regulations of conducting the examination through webinar (web – based) seminar on the topic, “Promoting examination ethics in our schools.”
We urge all candidates to comply with the directive from WAEC and for school authorities to also be vigilant during the examination period to avoid any embarrassment as WAEC has hinted that those who engage in examination malpractice will be named and shamed.
The Spectator adds its voice to that of WAEC urging all stakeholders such as candidates, tutors, invigilators, parents and the public to support WAEC to ensure that this year’s examination is free of the usual malpractices which result in the cancellation of question papers.
You have worked so hard as students and this is the time to justify your inclusion, so do not allow anybody to jeopardise your future by luring you to engage in examination malpractice. You can pass your examination without cheating. Wise up!
We wish all candidates success in the upcoming WASSCE examinations.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
