The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah as its 21st Chairman during the 72nd Annual Council Meeting. Demianus Ojijeogu, Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, made the announcement in a signed statement.
Prof. Yormah, succeeding Prof. Ato Essuman from the Republic of Ghana, was elected at a week-long meeting in Sierra Leone. Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio (GCRSL), represented by Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, opened the event, congratulating WAEC on its 72nd anniversary.
In his keynote address, Bio acknowledged the Council’s significant role in educational development across the subregion and commended its contribution to educational reforms in member countries.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon Conrad Sackey, praised WAEC’s longstanding commitment to promoting sound education and maintaining educational standards since its inception in 1952. He urged stakeholders to unite to combat examination malpractice.
WAEC conferred the International Excellence Award on three Ghanaian candidates for exceptional performance in the 2023 WASSCE for School Candidates during the meeting. Additionally, Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi received the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023.
The Council also honoured Prof Jonas A. S. Redwood-Sawyerr with the Distinguished Friend of Council award for his contributions to its objectives. Prof. Yatta Kanu was elected Vice Chairman for one year, succeeding Dr. Ebrima Sisawo of the Republic of The Gambia.
The Council, WAEC’s governing board, holds its annual meetings in rotation among member countries. Following the 72nd meeting hosted by Sierra Leone, the 73rd edition is scheduled to be hosted by the Government of Liberia in March 2025, continuing the tradition of regional collaboration and cooperation in education.
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