Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, has cautioned candidates writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the region to desist from all forms of examination malpractice.

He said engaging in malpractice could jeopardise their educational future, tarnish their hard-earned reputation, and undermine the credibility of the examination process.

The Regional Minister, therefore, urged candidates to rely on their preparation, stay disciplined, and approach their papers with confidence.

“Do not panic, and if you don’t panic, you will get all the As that you want,” he said, adding, “Just relax and consider yourself as the best student in the world, and once your head is cool, everything will fall in place.”

Mr Akamugri gave the advice when he toured selected senior high schools, including the Bolgatanga Senior High School and Zuarungu Senior High School, to encourage students and monitor the conduct of the examinations.

He reminded the candidates that any involvement in malpractice was not only a violation of school rules but also a breach of national laws, which could lead to severe consequences.

“Do not giraffe; be confident in yourselves, and we pray that God will be with us, and at the end of the day, you will all score As,” he added.

The Regional Minister further urged the students to remain focused, committed to their studies, and to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the examination period.

He also cautioned them against engaging in violence that could derail the process and jeopardise their future.

The Minister was accompanied by Mrs Alice Ellen Abeere-Inga, the Regional Education Director, and Alhaji Muhammadu Issaku, the Acting Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council.

On her part, Mrs Abeere-Inga, lamented the increasing incidents of results cancellation because of examination malpractices and encouraged the students to engage in independent work to avoid becoming victims.