The University of Ghana has defended its decision to publish the names of students sanctioned for examination malpractice, insisting the measure is a necessary step to safeguard academic integrity and uphold the institution’s reputation.
Director of Academic Affairs at the university, Lydia Anowa Nyarko Danquah, said the practice is part of an established disciplinary policy aimed at discouraging academic dishonesty rather than humiliating offenders.
The Office of the Registrar recently released the names of students found guilty of examination malpractice, along with corresponding sanctions, sparking renewed public debate on the university’s disciplinary approach.
Speaking to Citi News, Ms. Danquah explained that the publication of names is a routine exercise intended to reinforce standards and deter other students from engaging in similar conduct.
“This is university policy; we do it every year. We have a process to sanction students who commit malpractices during exams. We want to discourage that because it goes against the university’s image and against the certificate you receive as a student when you go out,” she said.
She stressed that the intention is not to shame affected students but to protect the value of academic qualifications awarded by the institution.
“It is not like we want to punish or shame people for evil reasons. We just want to discourage it,” she added.
Reactions among students have been mixed, with some supporting the move as a strong deterrent against cheating, while others expressed concern about its psychological and reputational impact.
One student acknowledged the university’s intentions but warned that public naming could have emotional consequences for those affected, describing it as potentially distressing.
Another student, however, backed the policy, arguing that strict enforcement is necessary to maintain discipline, noting that examination rules must be respected to preserve fairness in academia.
The debate continues as the university maintains that the policy is essential to protecting academic standards and ensuring that its certificates remain credible both locally and internationally.
