In a landmark decision, the Accra High Court has dismissed the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) application to delay the release of withheld results for approximately 10,000 candidates from the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The court also imposed a fine of GHS 5,000 on WAEC for its actions.
The controversy began on December 30, 2024, when WAEC announced that it had withheld results due to alleged examination malpractices among candidates. However, four students challenged WAEC’s decision in court, arguing that the council’s rationale for withholding results was unclear and inconsistent.
On January 30, 2025, the court ruled in favor of the students, stating that delaying the release of results could significantly impact their academic and professional futures. Despite this ruling, WAEC attempted to suspend the decision, but Justice Ali Baba Abature ruled that the council failed to provide adequate justification for its request.
WAEC’s Head of Legal Affairs, Reverend Victor Brew, has indicated that the council plans to appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal. However, for now, the court’s decision is a significant victory for the affected students, who can finally access their results and move forward with their educational pursuits.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
