Former GES Director-General Criticizes Military Deployment for WASSCE Supervision in Bawku
Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, former Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has strongly criticized the Bawku Municipal Security Council’s decision to deploy military escorts to supervise students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) amid the ongoing Bawku conflict.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express and the Asaase Breakfast Show, Dr. Tandoh described the move as counterproductive, arguing that the presence of armed forces at examination centers could traumatize students, undermining their mental stability and academic performance.
The decision follows a surge in violence in Bawku and Nalerigu, including the tragic killing of two students at Nalerigu Senior High School and one at Bawku Senior High School on July 26, 2025, prompting school closures and a 2:00 PM to 6:00 AM curfew effective July 27, 2025.
Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Isaac Azunaba defended the military escort plan, stating, “We will bus them, we don’t want them to come by themselves. We will put police and military on the campus so that these students can write their exam in peace.” North East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia indicated similar measures are under consideration for Nalerigu.
Dr. Tandoh, who stepped down as GES Deputy Director-General in February 2025, urged the Ministry of Education and GES to activate Ghana’s Education in Emergency (EiE) policy, which he helped develop post-COVID-19.
The 66-page EiE blueprint outlines strategies for educational continuity during crises, including remote learning via platforms like iBox, iCampus, and Ghana Learning TV, and establishing alternative learning spaces. He proposed relocating students to safer examination centers in neighboring municipalities like Tamale, saying, “Work closely with WAEC… give letters of authentication to each student to be sent to the nearest centre.”
“Under no circumstance should anyone consider bringing children back into a conflict zone, even with tight security—they will not be mentally stable enough to write their exams,” Tandoh emphasized on PM Express. He advocated for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) as mandated by the EiE plan, alongside collaboration with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to designate secure exam centers.
The GES, through Public Relations Officer Daniel Fenyi, assured support for affected final-year students, prioritizing their safety and academic continuity. Evacuations from Bawku and Nalerigu schools are underway, with plans to finalize secure exam arrangements by the end of the week, potentially relocating students to safer districts.
Dr. Tandoh’s critique aligns with concerns from experts like Dr. Peter Anti of the Institute for Education Studies, who also called for student relocation to ensure mental stability for the WASSCE, set to begin August 5, 2025. Security analyst Col. (Rtd.) Festus Aboagye further cautioned that military deployments must adhere to national and international laws, criticizing the government’s response as reactionary.
As the Bawku conflict continues to disrupt education, Dr. Tandoh stressed, “This is not about politics. This is about Ghanaian children whose futures are at stake.” The government’s shift to peace enforcement, backed by military deployment and stricter curfews, underscores the urgency, but Tandoh’s call for EiE activation highlights a need for strategic, trauma-informed solutions to safeguard students’ academic futures.
