Good News: GH¢47.13 Million Released for 2024 BECE
In a recent development, the Ministry of Finance has disbursed GH₵47.13 million to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to facilitate the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This significant funding provides WAEC the necessary support to proceed with the examination scheduled from Monday, July 8 to Monday, July 15, 2024.
This amount, although only about half of the GH¢95.83 million the government owed WAEC for previous exams, is expected to cover the immediate needs for conducting the BECE. This includes the preparation and deployment of examination materials. The confirmation came from Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, in a statement to Graphic Online’s Parliamentary correspondent, Nana Konadu Agyeman.
John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, also confirmed the release and highlighted the urgency of processing this payment through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS). He assured that the funds would prioritize the conduct of the exams and address part of WAEC’s existing debts, although payments to suppliers might be temporarily deferred.
Abena Osei-Asare, who is also the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, clarified that the Ministry of Education had requested GH₵87.6 million for the BECE. The initial release of GH₵47.13 million will cover the exams, with additional funds to be allocated for marking and related services after the exams.
Kapi emphasized the readiness of WAEC for the exams and the hope that the processing of the funds through GIFMIS would be expedited. He reassured that the examination materials would start moving out of Accra by July 4, ensuring timely conduct of the BECE as scheduled.
However, Kapi noted that the current funds would not cover marking, script checking, and result release, but expressed confidence that the remaining amounts would be released promptly. He highlighted existing arrears of GH¢698,000 from the 2023 BECE, hoping these would also be addressed in future releases.
Addressing the payment timelines for examiners, Kapi explained that payments are made once marking is completed and audit and finance approvals are secured. Although last year faced delays, he expressed hope for timely payments this year.
In a parliamentary debate, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh mentioned a significant release of GH¢80 million for the BECE, citing confirmation from Mrs. Osei-Asare. This was during a discussion on the National Service Authority Bill, where other MPs urged focus on urgent matters like the Affirmative Action Bill.
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