The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has embarked on a working visit to the Bono East Region to mark the commencement of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The Minister and his delegation began the tour at Techiman Senior High School, which hosts five examination centres. A total of 1,423 candidates are writing the BECE at this location, comprising 692 boys and 731 girls.

Regional Director of Education, Nana Kugbeadzor Bakateyi II, reported that a total of 20,572 candidates are sitting for the BECE across the Bono East Region—10,156 boys and 10,416 girls.

Nationally, the Minister disclosed that 603,328 candidates are expected to take part in this year’s examination. He urged all candidates to approach the exams with integrity and confidence, stressing that they should avoid any form of malpractice.

“Do not see yourselves as unprepared. You are ready. Treat this as a normal process,” Hon. Iddrisu advised. “Uphold your integrity and do not engage in any form of examination malpractice. It is not worth losing your future or self-respect over.”

He encouraged the candidates to do their best and answer questions honestly, assuring them that success through honesty is possible. “I wish you all the best of luck,” he added.

Addressing infrastructural issues, the Minister acknowledged the poor state of some school furniture after observing conditions in various classrooms.

He assured the students and teachers of the government’s commitment to improving furniture supply and providing the necessary logistics to enhance teaching and learning in the region.

The Bono East Regional Minister, Hon. Francis Owusu Antwi, expressed gratitude for the Education Minister’s visit, noting that it was his first regional tour since taking office. He also commended the regional education directorate for their support and cooperation during the exercise.

Hon. Antwi affirmed the region’s preparedness for the exams and warned that any examination malpractice would not be tolerated. “We are fully prepared for the monitoring process. From Techiman, we will head to Kintampo Municipal to assess conditions there, as earlier stated by the Education Minister.”

The Regional Minister also highlighted concerns about inadequate lighting in some classrooms and promised swift action to resolve the issue.

The Minister’s entourage included the National Director of Education, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; Bono East Regional Director of Education, Nana Kugbeadzor Bakateyi II; Techiman Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Adjei Mensah; Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr. Isaac K. Amankwah; Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Amoah; and the Regional Director for NaSIA, among other national and regional education officials.