In a recent development, two teachers have been brought before an Accra Circuit Court on allegations of illegally possessing Basic Education Certificate (BECE) examination papers on their phones. The incident is said to have taken place on September 16, 2020, at Evangelical Presbyterian School in Mamprobi, Accra.
The accused teachers, namely Jephtern Kwame Nkrumah and James Kodia, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and illegal possession of West African Examination Council (WAEC) 2020 BECE examination papers, specifically ICT practical questions and French language solved questions. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
During the court proceedings presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, the offences were described as misdemeanours. Subsequently, the accused were granted bail in the amount of GHC 50,000 each, to be supported by one surety within the court’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, they have been ordered to report to the Police every fortnight as part of their bail conditions.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye Okuffo, has been directed to file disclosures within three weeks, and the case has been adjourned to May 20, 2024.
According to the prosecution, the complainant in this case is Lieutenant Colonel Rexford Adu (rtd), the Security Coordinator at WAEC. It was alleged that Nkrumah is a teacher at Nii Kojo Ababio Basic School in Accra, while Kodia serves as a French and ICT tutor at Mamprobi Sempe 1 Basic School in Accra.
The prosecution further elaborated that during the September 2020 BECE, a snapshot of the ICT and French language examination questions was intercepted over WhatsApp. Subsequently, an intelligence agent attached to WAEC was tasked with monitoring the situation and identifying schools potentially involved in examination malpractice in Accra.
Following this directive, it was reported that during a visit to Evangelical Presbyterian School in Mamprobi, Accra, a snapshot of answered ICT BECE questions from the morning session and ongoing French Language examination questions were discovered on Nkrumah’s mobile phone. As a result, both accused individuals were apprehended. During the course of investigations, Nkrumah allegedly confessed to instructing Kodia to answer the examination questions on his behalf.
This case highlights the significance of upholding the integrity of examinations and the serious consequences of engaging in any form of malpractice. It serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct within the education sector and the legal ramifications associated with breaching examination protocols.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it is imperative for all stakeholders in the education system to remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the individuals involved and will serve as a deterrent against similar misconduct in the future.
-source GNA | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
