A total of 22,326 candidates have registered to sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the 15 municipalities and districts of the Upper East Region, marking a significant increase in candidature compared to last year.
The figure represents an increase of 2,803 candidates over the 19,523 recorded in 2025, reflecting a 6.7 per cent rise. Of the total number, 8,387 are males while 10,994 are females, with 19,381 candidates drawn from public basic schools and 2,945 from private schools across the region.
Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Nathaniel N-yaaba, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, noting that 95 examination centres have been designated for the exercise. He added that all logistical arrangements have been finalised to ensure a smooth and successful conduct of the examination.
Mr N-yaaba said the Service has intensified stakeholder engagement and sensitisation campaigns to curb examination malpractice, stressing that the region is pursuing a strict zero-tolerance policy.
According to him, recent engagements at Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School brought together key stakeholders, including the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, Conference of Heads of Basic Schools, Conference of Directors of Education, PTAs, SMCs and CHASS, to reinforce the campaign against malpractice.
He further assured that despite security concerns in parts of the region, particularly Bawku and its surrounding communities, adequate measures have been put in place to guarantee a smooth examination process.
He also urged parents and teachers to avoid crowding examination centres, emphasising that maintaining discipline and integrity remains critical to the successful conduct of the examinations.
