By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, May 2, GNA – A total of 22,326 candidates has registered to sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the 15 municipalities and districts in the Upper East Region.
The figure represents an increase of 2,803 candidates over the 19,523 recorded in 2025, reflecting a 6.7 per cent rise in candidature.
Of the total number, 8,387 are males while 10,994 are females. Additionally, 19,381 candidates are from public basic schools, with 2,945 from private basic schools across the region.
Mr Nathaniel N-yaaba, the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga.
He said 95 examination centres had been designated for the exercise and assured that all logistical arrangements had been put in place to ensure a smooth and successful conduct of the examination.
Mr N-yaaba noted that the Service had intensified stakeholder engagement and sensitisation campaigns to curb examination malpractices, stressing that the region was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy.
“Just a few days ago, we held a sensitisation campaign against examination malpractices at Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School, where we engaged key stakeholders including the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, Conference of Heads of Basic Schools, Conference of Directors of Education, PTAs, SMCs and CHASS, among others,” he said.
He explained that although the region’s malpractice figures were relatively low, authorities were not satisfied and were determined to reduce the incidence to zero.
“Our figures are not high, but we are not happy. We want zero tolerance for examination malpractices,” he stressed.
Mr N-yaaba said messages had been sent to churches and mosques across the region to support the campaign by educating candidates and the public on the need to uphold integrity during the examinations.
He added that security agencies and other stakeholders were being engaged to ensure discipline at examination centres, noting that the initiative formed part of a nationwide effort to address examination malpractice.
The PRO also advised parents and teachers to avoid crowding examination centres, urging them to leave once candidates had been settled.
“When you take your ward to the examination centre, leave the place. Teachers may offer moral support, but once the examination starts, they should also leave because they have no role to play in the hall,” he said.
Despite security concerns in some parts of the region, particularly in Bawku and its surrounding areas, Mr N-yaaba assured that adequate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination in all centres.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]