Editorial
Why do we have these exam leakages?
It is known that organised human activities are not perfect and for this reason many of the activities instituted on this earth tend to have certain problems but when it comes to exam leakages, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) cannot hide under human imperfection because examinations relate to the future of students and so ought to be organised in a leakage-free environment.
Exam leakages may come from several causes but it usually comes from within WAEC itself for which reason officers of WAEC would have to be investigated thoroughly.
The effects of these exam leakages are unpleasant because they contribute to loss of confidence in the certificates issued by WAEC to successful candidates.
Apart from this, leakages mean that the examinations will have to be organised again for the students to ensure fairness. This creates mental torture for the students but nothing is usually done to compensate them.
It is, therefore, important for WAEC officials to know that their work is very important since it involves the training of human resource in Ghana. The training of the young ones is evaluated through final examinations conducted by WAEC.
If, therefore, the security of the examinations cannot be guaranteed, then the officials at WAEC have no justification to continue to remain at post.
The Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in Ghana and West Africa must put their heads together and collaborate with WAEC to fight against exam leakages in the sub-region. This is what is needed to bring decency into the system.
Many a time, when leakages of certain papers occur, WAEC officials come out to say that they are investigating the matter after which they will deal with the culprits.
This constant excuse is no longer acceptable. The reason for this is that the examination questions are set by WAEC itself so if there are any leakages, it is that examination body that must be blamed.
The Spectator holds the opinion that, the time has come for everyone to take the issue of leakage as a serious matter and deal with it once and for all, so that this negative practice can no longer be attractive to examination criminals in the country and other parts of the sub-region.
Additionally, we think it is crucial for the examination body to consider electronic means of assessing candidates. This can be thoroughly examined by experts, so that permanent solution can be found to this issue.
We need to save ourselves from exam leakages because it is a big shame and disgrace to the examination body while causing embarrassment to other stakeholders.
This practice must stop immediately.
Editorial
Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road
Dear Editor,
After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.
But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.
Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.
Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.
It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.
During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.
I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.
As a result, public transport operators are forced to divert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.
I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.
Awuah Martin,
Kasoa, C/R
Editorial
Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory
Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.
The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronising the event with various activities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.
Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.
According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance lessons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful traditional attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.
Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Ghanaian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.
Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.
The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the celebration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among others to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.
GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the preparations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion industry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.
In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, together, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”
The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.
