UG sanctions 115 stubborn students, exam cheaters

The University of Ghana has taken firm disciplinary action against 115 students for various breaches of its code of conduct, including examination malpractice and insubordination.

In a notice signed by the Registrar, Emelia Agyei-Mensah, and issued on Monday, June 16, the university announced the suspension of 14 students for “disorderly conduct and failure to observe the orders of the university authorities.” Their actions, the notice stated, amounted to “misconduct contrary to Statutes 42(1)(a) of the University of Ghana Statutes 2011.”

In addition to the suspensions, 101 other students have received sanctions ranging from grade penalties to expulsion and official reprimand. One of them, Abdul Yakini Lukman, will serve his penalty concurrently “per section 45(1)(g) of the University of Ghana Statutes.”

The disciplinary actions stem from offences committed during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years. These include copying, impersonation, and disregarding examination regulations.

“The Grade X and Z penalty ranged from offences such as ‘communicating and copying during examinations contrary to Regulation 10.10, leaving examination hall with answer booklets contrary to Regulation 10.13, copying from unauthorised material contrary to Regulation 11.12, passing and receiving information under examination contrary to Regulation 10.5, displaying answers written on body parts to others contrary to Regulation 10.5’ of the UG Regulations on Examinations.”

A total of 76 students received a Grade Z, which signifies disqualification from an examination due to malpractice. Another 23 were handed a Grade X, indicating that they were unable to complete a course for reasons deemed unacceptable by the Board of the School of Graduate Studies.

Three students—Christian Owusu Yeboah, Linda Attah Lambongyi, and Doris Bikpe—were expelled for impersonation. Two others, Eugene Nimo Obeng and Lilian N.L. Miller, were suspended in addition to receiving grade penalties.

In less severe cases, Fatimah Iddriss and Justice Nii-Amo were reprimanded for misconduct during exams, including rudeness to invigilators and unauthorised communication.

The university reiterated the gravity of such infractions, citing its examination regulations and disciplinary framework.

“A candidate awarded a Grade Z may be barred from taking a University Examination for a stated period, or indefinitely, or may be expelled from the university. A Grade Z may be awarded only by the Board of the School of Graduate Studies.”

In its concluding remarks, the university advised all students to familiarise themselves with institutional rules and uphold academic integrity.

“All students are advised to familiarise themselves with the university's regulations and conduct themselves in a manner befitting members of our community,” the statement read.