By Josephine Sesay
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has launched a high-profile crackdown on examination malpractice, indicting two senior West African examinations council (WAEC) officials for their alleged roles in undermining the 2024 West African senior School certificate examination (WASSCE), the charges, announced in a detailed press release, target chief examiner Issa Kamara and assistant examiner Ibrahim Kamara, accusing them of rigging results to favor a relative, a scandal that threatens the credibility of the nation’s education system.
The ACC’s investigation revealed a calculated scheme during the May/June 2024 WASSCE. Issa Kamara faces six counts under the anti-corruption Act of 2008, as amended in 2019, including abuse of office (Section 42[1]), abuse of position (Section 43), using office for advantage (Section 44[1]), conspiracy to commit a corruption offence (Section 128[1]), academic malpractice (Section 128[3]), and Influencing a public officer (Section 30). Ibrahim Kamara faces five similar charges, excluding the influence-related count.
According to the ACC, Issa Kamara allegedly retrieved the examination script of his nephew, Foday Fasuluku Mansaray, and passed it to Ibrahim Kamara, who completed answers before the script was secretly reinserted among others for marking. This betrayal erodes public trust and jeopardizes the fairness thousands of students rely on, the ACC declared, emphasizing the gravity of the breach.
The indictments have sent shockwaves through Sierra Leone, where WASSCE results are a gateway to higher education and jobs, it’s heartbreaking to think our efforts can be cheated like this, said Mariatu Sesay, a 2024 WASSCE candidate from Bo. Parents and educators echoed her dismay, calling for stricter oversight, our children deserve exams they can trust, said Joseph Bangura, a Freetown school principal.
The ACC’s move reflects its broader mission to root out corruption in education, a sector vital to Sierra Leone’s development. In 2024, the commission reported over 50 cases of academic fraud, from leaked papers to bribed markers, costing the system millions of Leones, we’re sending a clear message: no one is above the law, said ACC spokesperson Aminata Koroma, the accused will face trial in the coming weeks, with the commission pledging a transparent process.
Issa and Ibrahim Kamara, both seasoned WAEC officials, have yet to comment publicly, if convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison per charge, alongside fines, setting a precedent for accountability, the case has also prompted WAEC to review its internal controls, with insiders hinting at new safeguards like digital script tracking.
Public reaction mixes anger with resolve, this isn’t just about two men it’s about fixing a broken system, said Fatmata Conteh, a youth activist rallying for exam reforms, community leaders urge calm as the legal process unfolds, but the scandal has sparked broader questions about integrity in public institutions.
