WAEC defends use of Aseda in 2025 BECE
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has explained why King Paluta’s hit song Aseda was used in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
WAEC’s explanation comes after some members of the public criticised the exam body for including the song in Section B of the Music and Creative Arts paper.
In Question 4(c), students were asked to identify two major social issues addressed in the song Aseda.
“King Paluta, whose real name is Thomas Adjei Wireko, is a Ghanaian musician known for combining traditional rhythms, storytelling and modern hip-hop beats in his music. One of his most popular songs, Aseda, carries deep messages that address important issues in the Ghanaian society. Identify two of these issues?” the question read.
However, in an interview with 3FM on June 18, 2025, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, explained the reasoning behind the question.
He said that the students had been well-prepared ahead of time to answer such questions and that the use of a local language like Twi should not be seen as a barrier.
Some people had raised concerns that since the song is in Twi, not all students might be able to understand it. But Kapi stressed that teachers would have worked with the students to help them understand the meaning behind the song.
“Language wouldn’t have been a barrier because teachers would have guided the students through it. In fact, the materials are provided to them ahead of time, giving them the opportunity to interpret and understand the content properly before the exam,” Kapi said.
He further explained that using songs in exams is part of the Creative Arts and Music syllabus. According to him, just like students study poems or comprehension in English literature, music is also used as a tool to pass on messages, and students are expected to reflect on what they learn from such songs.
“The issue about this, especially this aspect of the syllabus, is to have the candidates studied more like you study poetry or comprehension. The music is supposed to send a message or to bring something to the society. And so it is something that the candidates are supposed to have studied and then they should be able to, you know, put it in their own words and maybe tell the world what they have learned from this kind of music,” he stated.
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