West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has elected Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah as the 21st Chairman of Council during its 72nd Annual Council Meeting.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, Demianus Ojijeogu, announced the election in a signed statement.
Prof. Yormah, succeeding Prof. Ato Essuman from Ghana, was elected at a week-long meeting held in Sierra Leone.
In his keynote address, the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, representing His Excellency, Retired Brigadier (Dr.) Julius Maada Bio, congratulated WAEC on its 72nd anniversary, acknowledging its significant role in the educational development of the sub-region and its contribution to educational reforms.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone, Hon. Conrad Sackey, praised WAEC for its role in promoting sound education and maintaining educational standards, urging stakeholders to collaborate in eradicating examination malpractice.
During the meeting, the WAEC International Excellence Award was presented to three Ghanaian candidates for their outstanding performance in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023. Additionally, the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023 was awarded to Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi. Candidates from Sierra Leone were also recognized with the National Distinction and National Merit Awards.
Prof. Yatta Kanu was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Council for a one-year term, succeeding Dr. Ebrima Sisawo of The Gambia.
The Council, comprising WAEC’s governing board, meets annually in rotation among its member countries: The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The 73rd edition of the meeting will be hosted by the Government of Liberia in March 2025, following the 71st meeting hosted by the Government of The Gambia in 2023.
