Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has encouraged candidates sitting for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to think critically and apply the knowledge they have acquired throughout their academic journey in order to achieve outstanding results.
Dr. Apaak made the call during a monitoring visit to St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School and Labone Senior High School on Tuesday as the nationwide examination continued.
Addressing candidates at Labone SHS, the Deputy Minister emphasized that success in the examination would depend not only on what students had learned in the classroom but also on their ability to analyse questions critically and apply their knowledge effectively.
“I think what is required is for you to think a lot more critically and deeply so that you can apply the knowledge. And once you can do that, we expect that you will come out with flying colours,” he stated.
He reminded the candidates that the examination questions were drawn from topics and subject areas they had already studied and were familiar with.
“Now remember that what you are writing is not alien. These are topics and subject areas that you are familiar with,” he said.
Dr. Apaak also expressed confidence in the students’ ability to uphold and even surpass the strong academic records established by their respective schools over the years.
“Your school is a school that has a history and a tradition, and we know that you are going to build upon, if not improve, the record that you are currently contending with,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister further urged the candidates to remain focused and maintain the same level of energy, commitment, passion and hard work that had brought them to the final stage of their secondary education.
“It is our expectation that the way you started, you would finish with the same level of energy, same level of passion, same level of commitment and indeed hard work, which is what has brought you to where you are today,” he added.
Dr. Apaak assured the students of the government’s continued commitment to investing in education and creating opportunities for young people to pursue their aspirations beyond secondary school.
“I just want to wish you well and to let you know that the government prioritizes your education,” he said.
The 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates is currently underway across Ghana and other member countries of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), with more than half a million candidates participating in the examination.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah