The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has justified its decision to include a question based on the hit song “Aseda” by Ghanaian rapper King Paluta in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The question appeared in Section B of the Creative Arts and Music paper and asked students to identify two social issues addressed in the song. WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, defended the move, stating that students had access to the materials in advance and were guided by teachers to understand the lyrics.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from stakeholders. Education expert Dr. Peter Partey-Anti questioned whether the song was part of the official curriculum and noted frustration among teachers about curriculum misalignment.
Gapson Kofi Raphael of the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) also raised concerns about fairness, given Ghana’s linguistic diversity and the potential for students to be unfamiliar with the song.
The final paper for the 2025 BECE, Arabic (Essay & Objective), was completed on Wednesday, June 18. WAEC expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the exams, despite some minor logistical challenges.