THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has elected Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah as the 21st Chairman of the Council during the 72nd Annual Council Meeting.
According to media reports, the Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, Demianus Ojijeogu, announced the election in a signed statement.
Prof. Yormah, who succeeded Prof. Ato Essuman from the Republic of Ghana, was elected at a week-long WAEC Council meeting held in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
In his keynote address, the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Retired Brigadier (Dr) Julius Maada Bio (GCRSL), represented by the Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, declared the gathering opened and congratulated WAEC on its 72nd anniversary.
He noted that the Council had played a prominent role in the educational development of the sub-region over the past 72 years and had served as a catalyst for the educational reforms that have evolved in the member countries.
On his part, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone, Hon. Conrad Sackey, noted that since its inception in 1952, the Council has played its role creditably by assisting in the development of sound education and ensuring the maintenance of educational standards.
He said this has given the people of the sub-region a vision of the great potentials that lie beyond examinations.
He congratulated WAEC for having remained relevant for over seven decades and still counting and urged all stakeholders to rally the Council and stamp out examination malpractice in public examinations in the member countries.
On the same occasion, the WAEC International Excellence Award was conferred on three Ghanaian candidates for their outstanding performance in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023.
They were Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi (1st Prize), Master Dzandu Selorm (2nd Prize), and Master Asenso-Gyambibi Daniel (3rd Prize).
The Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023 also went to Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi. In addition, two candidates from the Republic of Sierra Leone were honoured with the National Distinction, while one candidate received the National Merit Award. They were Miss Mammah E. A. Raymonda (1st Prize), Master Bangura Joshua (2nd Prize), and Master Fillie Sahr Edward (Merit Award).
The prestigious award of Distinguished Friend of Council was conferred on Prof. Jonas A. S. Redwood-Sawyerr for his outstanding contributions towards the achievement of the Council’s objectives.
Prof. Yatta Kanu was also elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Council for a one-year tenure. She succeeds Dr Ebrima Sisawo of the Republic of The Gambia.
The Council, which is WAEC’s Governing Board, holds its meeting yearly in rotation among the five member countries, including The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
