The Head of Public Relations at the West African Examination Council (WAEC), John Kapi has clarified that the Council can only confirm that it has received an amount of GH₵47.125 million out of the amount owed.
Earlier in Parliament on Friday, June 21, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annor-Dompreh claimed that the government has disbursed an amount of GH₵80 million towards the preparation of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
But WAEC says it has only received GH₵47.125 million which is not enough.
“The document that I have that we received from the government today is a warrant that I have received from the Finance Ministry for an amount of GH₵47.125 million…per the warrant I have is not GH₵80 million is GH₵47.125 million,” he clarified.
According to WAEC, the amount received will only be able to help it conduct the BECE and would require more funds to process the results after the exams and pay its debtors as well.
“We would be able to conduct the examination but then we will need more funds to be able to process the results and also we would need more funds in order to be able to pay our debtors,” he added.
John Kapi noted that the Council as part of the pre-examination process, procured some examination stationery in the form of answer booklets to the tune of GH₵12.6million, bought bond paper for printing at the cost of GH₵48 million and purchased pencils to the tune of GH₵1.146 million.
According to him, the amount released will not be sufficient to settle these debts and also generate enough money to pay examiners, supervisors etc.
John Kapi noted that the Council as part of the pre-examination process, procured some examination stationery in the form of answer booklets to the tune of GH₵12.6million, bought bond paper for printing at the cost of GH₵48 million and purchased pencils to the tune of GH₵1.146 million.
According to him, the amount released will not be sufficient to settle these debts and also generate enough money to pay examiners, supervisors etc.
“So, we will go ahead in order that we don’t truncate the academic calendar.”
He said if the entire amount owed WEAC is settled, the Council will be able to conduct the exams smoothly and settle its outstanding debts.
Few days ago, the Council lamented that the BECE scheduled for July 2024, faces possible cancellation due to severe funding challenges.
WAEC expressed grave concerns about the government’s failure to release the needed funds for the preparation and administration of the exams.