Bishop Dr Gideon Titi-Ofei has urged students who did not perform well in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) not to regard their results as the end of their dreams. Reflecting on his own educational journey, the Chancellor and founder of the University of Gold Coast revealed that he once left secondary school after being asked to repeat Form Four.
He said the unwavering support of his mother, coupled with his faith in God, helped him overcome the setback and go on to build a career in education and leadership. “I left secondary school in Form Four after being asked to repeat, but my mother stood by me,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “Today, by God’s grace, I am a university founder and a Chancellor. To every child who did not pass the BECE, this is not the end.”
His message comes as thousands of Ghanaian families grapple with the outcome of the 2026 BECE, whose results determine the next stage of education for candidates seeking placement into senior high schools. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) released the provisional results of the 2026 BECE on July 30, leaving students and their families to consider their options for the next phase of their educational journey.
A total of 620,243 candidates, comprising 304,415 males and 315,828 females, sat for the examination from 20,789 schools at 2,237 centres across the country. WAEC said 3,601 registered candidates were absent. The release, however, was followed by concerns over examination irregularities.
WAEC cancelled the subject results of 496 candidates and the entire results of 105 candidates, while the results of 119 candidates were withheld at subject level and those of 48 candidates were withheld in their entirety.
The Council also said the results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools had been withheld for further scrutiny. Against this backdrop, Bishop Titi-Ofei offers a different perspective on examination results, encouraging young people not to let an academic setback determine the course of their lives.
His own journey has since extended into higher education. He founded Accra Business School, which has since evolved into the University of Gold Coast, and in May 2025, he was officially invested as the university’s Chancellor.
The University of Gold Coast describes him as an educator, pastor and motivational speaker, highlighting his role in establishing the institution to promote leadership development. During his investiture, Bishop Titi-Ofei emphasised that the university was established for more than simply awarding degrees; it was created to help develop individuals capable of making a meaningful impact.
“We are not here to produce graduates with just degrees; we are here to release destinies,” he said at the ceremony. His latest message, therefore, offers a personal lesson for students who may be disappointed by their 2026 BECE results: while an examination result may shape the next step in a student’s journey, it does not necessarily determine the final destination. The highly respected bishop urged students who may be discouraged by their performance not to see the outcome as the end of their journey.
