As a result of an incident involving a candidate for the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) who was stripped partially naked, tensions have arisen at the WAEC site at Ofori Panin Senior High School in Akyem-Tafo in the Eastern Region.
The candidate was allegedly not in proper uniform at the examination centre. When he arrived at the examination location, he was wearing a white button-down shirt over a pair of brown khaki shorts, which irritated a WAEC official, who promptly removed the shorts, leaving him in nothing but his boxer shorts.
The Thursday incident is only one of several reported instances of harassment and intimidation directed against candidates in the eastern region.
A number of candidates who spoke to the journalists who are observing the exam on the condition of anonymity expressed concern that some WAEC personnel were purposefully harassing them for no apparent reason, causing them unnecessary stress.
One of the authorities was accused of physically assaulting a student who had been accused of cheating.
Among the allegations levelled against WAEC officials are reports of masked men and armed police officers storming the centre, generating fear. When reached out to, a senior official made no comment and directed journalists to communicate with his superiors in Accra.
Some parents of students taking the test have voiced their displeasure with the officials’ handling of the situation.
