The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Peter Nortsu Kotoe, has criticised the Minister of Education for failing to prioritise the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in the allocation of funds.
His comments come amid delays in releasing critical funding to WAEC, which has hindered the processing and release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, December 23, Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe expressed concern over the recurring delays in providing financial support to WAEC.
He noted that WAEC often struggles to secure funding until public outcry forces action.
“This has happened in the last three, four years, and I think it’s unfortunate. We have to condemn it,” he added.
Referring to past incidents, he highlighted the challenges faced during the release of the BECE results, which were resolved only after months of persistent advocacy.
“My appeal to the Ministry of Education is that they should, as a matter of urgency, release the necessary funds to WAEC. The Education Minister has not prioritised why in any form, they receive money, either monthly and orderly.
“Why has the Minister not made provisions for WAEC in the regular budget allocations? Instead, we have to wait until the Committee on Education begins to make noise before funds are released,” he lamented.
According to Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe, WAEC currently requires at least 60 million Ghana cedis to continue its work, with a promised 20 million yet to be disbursed.
He further accused the Ministry of Education of holding candidates and Ghanaians “to ransom” by neglecting WAEC’s financial needs.
“It is not WAEC holding anyone to ransom; it is the Ministry of Education that is holding Ghanaians and candidates to ransom,” he asserted.
Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe also suggested that the lack of urgency in addressing WAEC’s funding issues could be due to the government’s focus shifting as it nears the end of its term.