Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has ordered a full investigation into the sharp decline in student performance in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). He described the results as “mind-boggling” and tasked the Minister of Education with conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine the causes of the downturn.

Fresh data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) shows a dramatic fall in Core Mathematics pass rates—from 66.86 percent in 2024 to 48.73 percent in 2025. The number of students achieving A1–C6 in Mathematics dropped by over 96,000 compared to last year. Social Studies also recorded a significant dip, while English Language and Integrated Science saw mild but notable declines.

WAEC officials attributed the poor performance in Mathematics to persistent weaknesses among candidates, including difficulty applying concepts and solving standard-level questions. In Social Studies, many candidates struggled to explain government policies, analyze the economic impact of expensive funerals, and discuss Ghana’s cooperation with United Nations agencies.

Speaking at the launch of the STEMBox initiative, President Mahama expressed deep worry over the results, calling it a major concern for the government, parents, and the wider public. Education experts have welcomed the directive for a probe, saying a thorough investigation will help uncover the root causes and guide more effective reforms.