Examination malpractice is rising, not declining – EduWatch

Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), has disputed claims that examination malpractice in Ghana is declining. In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he presented data indicating a significant rise in the issue. From 2018 to 2024, malpractice rates increased from 0.9% to 13.5%, and further to 14.8% by 2025.

Asare dismissed the President’s assertion that malpractice is declining, stating that the trend between 2024 and 2025 shows worsening rather than improving. He also highlighted that the situation is expected to worsen, with rates projected to rise from 13.5% to 14.8% in 2026. Between 2024 and 2025, the level of malpractice linked to subject cancellations and entire result cancellations doubled, from 4.22% to 28.95%.

Asare emphasized that examination malpractice is a behavioral issue requiring a shift in attitude and behavior, rather than a solely punitive approach focused on arrests. Eduwatch measures progress by the number of participants involved in the fraud, not the number of arrests, as comprehensive arrest data is not available. The organization raised concerns about the impact of subject cancellations, noting that over 7,000 candidates had their results revoked due to malpractice.

Asare urged education authorities to address the underlying behavioral and attitudinal factors driving the trend. He noted that future data from 2026 will be crucial in determining whether the trend has finally reversed, but current statistics do not support claims of a decline in examination malpractice.