The Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Kwabena Ackon has encouraged students writing this year’s BECE to develop what he called ‘self confidence’ and approach the examination with a positive mindset.

“Self determination and perseverance,” he explained, constitutes the strongest foundation in achieving success in every journey of society. He described the students as the essential assets for the future of the country, which means good academic foundation is paramount for a successful take-off in the persuit of national goal.

“You can only achieve your aim in life if you are disciplined and such attitutide starts from now as you begin your school basic certificate examinations”, he advised.

Mr. Ackon cautioned the candidates not to cheat in the examination because cheating is a negative attitude that has the potential to affect the academic progression of students as they climb the academic ladder.

The Regional Minister gave the advice when monitoring this year’s basic school examination in the Ashanti region where a total of 92,349 students from the region are writing the BECE. According to the minister, this year’s figure has been increased by 3,534 students representing 4.02% over the 2015 figure of 87,815.
The Ashanti regional Director of Education, Mrs. Mary Owusu Achiaw, who was part of the minister’s entourage said she is optimistic that there will be an improved performance in the region considering the disciplined atmosphere that characterized the examination. She called on the students to observe and obey all the exams’ rules and regulations.
Meanwhile a total of 461,13 students are expected to write this year’s BECE  throughout the country. This figure is made up of 239 thousand 963 males and 221 thousand and 50 females.

Mr. Ackon and his team visited some of the examination centres in the Kumasi Metropolis, Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South , Tepa and Maaban in the Ahafo Ano north districts of the Ashanti region.

By Bright Dzakah|Onua FM|Ghana