Mr. Jones Abeka-Baah, the Principal of the Akim Oda Community Health Nurses Training School, has revealed that five trainee nurses were expelled from the institution after it was discovered that they had obtained admission using forged West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
Mr. Abeka-Baah underlined the institution’s dedication to academic integrity, adding that each applicant’s credentials are thoroughly reviewed before final admission is granted.
”Giving you admission means that we will review the documentation you submitted to apply. “If you applied and came to the school illegally, we will fire you,” he stated.
Forgery of academic certificates is a serious crime in Ghana and many other places. Falsifying official documents is a criminal crime in Ghana, punishable under the Criminal Offences crime of 1960 (Act 29).
Section 158 of the Act provides that anyone found guilty of falsifying documents with the aim to deceive or gain an unfair advantage may face imprisonment.
Furthermore, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Act 2006 (Act 719) criminalises the forgery of WASSCE certificates.
Individuals detected falsifying or changing WAEC results may face serious legal consequences, including prosecution, fines, and imprisonment.
The act also authorises WAEC to cancel certificates obtained falsely.
To ensure the credibility of its admissions, institutions like the Akim Oda Community Health Nurses Training School use severe verification measures.
As Mr. Abeka-Baah pointed out, falsifying academic records jeopardises not only the integrity of the educational system but also the institution’s credibility.
The expulsion of the five students serves as a stark reminder to future applicants about the repercussions of academic fraud.
It emphasises the significance of merit-based admission systems and the need for aspiring health professionals to maintain ethical standards.
Academic fraud remains a challenge in Ghana’s educational system, although institutions are taking strong measures to counteract it.
The case at Akim Oda Community Health Nurses Training School exemplifies the zero-tolerance policy towards counterfeiting and the legal implications of such acts.
Aspiring students are reminded to follow ethical admission processes, as any attempt to acquire admission by fraudulent means may result in long-term legal and professional consequences.
