The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has named Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah as its 21st Chairman during the 72nd Annual Council Meeting held in Sierra Leone. The announcement was made by Demianus Ojijeogu, the Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
The election of Prof. Yormah took place in the Republic of Sierra Leone as part of the week-long WAEC Council meeting. His Excellency, Retired Brigadier (Dr.) Julius Maada Bio (GCRSL), represented by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, officially opened the meeting and congratulated WAEC on its 72nd anniversary.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Sierra Leone, Hon. Conrad Sackey, commended WAEC for its significant role in educational development since its establishment in 1952. He stressed the importance of maintaining educational standards and urged stakeholders to collaborate in eradicating examination malpractice.
During the event, three Ghanaian candidates were honored with the WAEC International Excellence Award for exceptional performance in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023. Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi also received the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023.
Additionally, candidates from the Republic of Sierra Leone were recognized with the National Distinction Award and the National Merit Award. Prof. Jonas A. S. Redwood-Sawyerr was named a Distinguished Friend of Council for his outstanding contributions to WAEC’s objectives.
Prof. Yatta Kanu was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Council for a one-year term, succeeding Dr. Ebrima Sisawo of the Republic of The Gambia. The Council, which serves as WAEC’s governing body, meets annually in rotation among its five member countries: The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.