1 day Ago By Apata Oyeniran
The trio of David Nii Commey Ankrah, Henschel Tabi Frempong-Manso, and Benedict Ofori Debrah, all from Ghana, have emerged as the winners of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) International Excellence Award. The three all-male candidates were selected from 2,455,063 who sat the examination in The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone with outstanding performances in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School candidates, 2024 . They were honoured at the just concluded 73rd Annual Council Meeting of The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) which was held from Monday, 17th to Friday, 21st March 2025 , in Monrovia, Liberia.
At the meeting that produced Liberia’s Chief Government Nominee on Council, Honourable Amos Armah Fully, as Vice Chairman for a one-year tenure, Master David Nii Commey Ankrah and winner of Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2024 emerged first. Ankrah, now an undergraduate Pharmacy student at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, obtained an A1 in subjects. Occupying the second position is Master Henschel Tabi Frempong-Manso.
Frempong-Manso, who is currently studying at the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, where he aspires to be a renowned Engineer, made A1 in eight subjects. Master Benedict Ofori Debrah, in the 3rd place, is currently studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana where he aspires to be an influential Surgeon. He also made A1 grades in eight subjects to emerge as the third-place winner.
In a keynote address, His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, congratulated WAEC on its 73rd anniversary and stated that the journey of the Council is a testament to the resilience of the educational systems in the sub-region and the commitment of its educators in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. He noted that WAEC has been at the forefront of educational assessment in West Africa for more than half a century, ensuring that students receive credible and standardized examinations. He added that the Council has played very well its part in providing a framework that allows for transparency, accountability, and fairness in assessing academic achievements across the region.
The President stressed that WAEC has also been instrumental in, facilitating a common curriculum, ensuring quality assurance, and promoting regional integration, and urged that it should recognize the urgency and importance of creating inclusive examination policies and practices. He stated further that it is essential that the Council design testing environments that are accessible to students with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to showcase their skills and earn the qualifications they deserve. In her speech, the Honourable Minister of Education, Liberia, Dr.
Jarso Maley Jallah, noted that the Annual Council Meeting “brings together key stakeholders from WAEC member countries to discuss critical issues affecting the development and administration of the Council’s examinations”. According to her, Liberia remains committed to strengthening the collaboration between WAEC and the respective member governments. She urged, “As we deliberate on matters that will shape the future of education in West Africa, let us reaffirm our dedication to ensuring the credibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of WAEC’s examinations”.
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