BECE Social Studies Final Marking Scheme (June 2025)

General Instructions

Total Questions Set: 5 (Section I: 1 compulsory question; choose one from Section II: Q2, Q3; choose one from Section III: Q4, Q5).

Maximum Mark Per Question: 20 marks.

Total Mark for Entire Paper: 60 marks.

Award of Marks

• Mere mention of points: 1 mark
• Meaningful sentence: 2 marks
• Meaningful sentence with examples: Full marks

SCHEME 1: Marriage

Q1. (a) Define marriage in the context of Ghanaian Society. (4 marks)

Definition: Marriage is the union between a man and a woman who have agreed to live together as husband and wife and have gone through all the procedures recognised in their society.

Q1. (b) State four reasons, that will cause you to marry when the time is due. (4 marks - Any 4 points, 1 mark each)

• For companionship.
• Legitimate sexual avenue.
• For procreation.
• For mutual assistance.
• For social status/respect.
• For economic support.
• For social cohesion or unity among families.
• For security/protection.
• For love/Affection.
• Family/Societal Pressure.

Q1. (c) Suggest four possible reasons that might have accounted for the longevity of a successful marriage. (12 marks: 4 points @ 3 marks each - Any 4 points)

• Faithfulness/Honesty.
• Hard work.
• Effective communication.
• Showing love and affection.
• Adequate preparation towards marriage/proper background checks.
• Developing a peaceful resolution to resolve conflicts.
• Tolerance.
• Understanding/Compatibility.
• Trust.
• Commitment/Sacrifice.
• Sexual satisfaction.
• Ignoring external influence/not comparing.
• Child bearing/Fertility.
• Mutual respect.

SCHEME 2: Human Rights

Q2. (a) (i) How would you explain the term Human Rights in a class discussion? (4 marks)

Explanation: Human Rights are freedoms/privileges a person cannot be deprived of without any justification (inalienable fundamental rights).

Example: Right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, etc. (Explanation without example attracts 3 marks. Explanation with example attracts 4 marks.)

Q2. (a) (ii) Identify two human right abuses in your community. (4 marks: 2 points @ 2 marks each - Any 2 points. 1 mark for mere listing, 2 marks for full meaningful sentence)

• Bullying
• Rape/Defilement.
• Child/Human Trafficking.
• Torture/Trial by ordeal.
• Discrimination.
• Denial of fair trial.
• Domestic abuse/Violence.
• Forced labour/Child labour.
• Mob action/Instant justice.
• Forced marriage.
• Unlawful arrest/detention.
• Sex trade.
• Child neglect/Child abuse.

Q2. (b) Suggest four reasons why the society must be educated on Human rights. (12 marks: 4 points @ 3 marks each - Any 4 points)

• To encourage freedom of speech.
• To prevent corruption/Promote accountability.
• To protect the vulnerable in society/reduction in fear.
• To live and enjoy life to the full.
• To enable citizens enjoy freedom of movement.
• Equal opportunity to everyone to earn a living.
• To enable citizens enjoy equal legal representation and opportunity.
• To enable citizens enjoy freedom of association.
• To create awareness.
• Respect for each other in society/Peaceful co-existence.
• To prevent crime in the society.

SCHEME 3: Constitution

Q3 (a) (i) How would you explain the term Constitution to your study group? (4 marks)

Explanation: A constitution is a body of rules and regulations that governs the way a country is run. It is the highest law of the land to which all other laws must conform. (Note: A constitution can be written or unwritten, e.g., The 1992 constitution of Ghana.)

Q3 (a) (ii) List four important reasons for which Ghana decided to practise republican system of government. (4 marks: 4 points @ 1 mark each - Any 4 points)

• To gain sovereignty and break colonial ties.
• To promote nationalism and Pan-African ideals.
• Guarantees the fundamental human rights of the people.
• In order to establish institutions/organs of government.
• In order for citizens to choose their leaders, influence decisions and hold leaders accountable.
• For economic prosperity and stability.
• To maintain peace and stability.
• To control and manage the country's resources.
• To establish a strong central executive government for nation building.
• To promote national unity and identity.
• To promote democratic ideals (accountability, Rule of law).
• To gain constitutional autonomy.
• It was considered modern and progressive.
• To give popular legitimacy to government.
• To reflect the popular demand of the will of the people.

Q3 (b) Suggest four points on the contributions of the 1992 constitution to the development of the nation. (12 marks: 4 points @ 3 marks each - Any 4 points)

• Prevention of dictatorial rule.
• Serves as a guide for change of government.
• Serves as terms of reference to maintain law and order.
• Determines type of political system used to run the country.
• Gives legitimacy to government and political institutions.
• Gives Ghana the status of nationhood.
• Ensures accountability and good governance.
• Protects human rights.
• Establishes various organs/arms of government and their functions.
• Recognises chieftaincy as an institution.
• Allocates functions of the organs of Government.

SCHEME 4: The 1948 Riots

Q4 (a) Identify four factors that led to the 1948 riots in the Gold Coast. (8 marks: 4 points @ 2 marks each - Any 4 points)

• Shooting and killing of the three Ex-servicemen at the Osu cross road.
• Non-payment of pension to the veterans/Unfulfilled promises to the ex-servicemen.
• Poor living conditions for ex-soldiers.
• Monopolisation of wholesale and international trade by foreigners (AWAM).
• Unemployment among school leavers.
• Shortage of essential commodities.
• Refusal to grant loans to local traders.
• General discrimination against the local people.
• Introduction of conditional sales by foreign traders.
• Cutting down diseased cocoa trees.
• High cost of goods.
• Dissatisfaction of the Burns constitution.
• Resentment towards colonial rule.

Q4 (b) Highlight four ways in which the 1948 riots contributed to Ghana's independence. (12 marks: 4 points @ 3 marks each - Any 4 points)

• It led to the formation of the Watson Commission which recommended a new constitution as a prelude to self-rule and independence.
• Dr. Kwame Nkrumah left the UGCC to form a new party, C.P.P.
• Gave people of Gold Coast a sense of Political awareness/Nationalism/Hatred for colonial rule.
• Led to the formation of the Coussey Committee that drew the 1951 constitution/Constitutional reforms.
• More Africans were recommended to lead the Civil Service.
• More schools were to be set up to Educate Gold Coasters.
• It led to the arrest of the Big Six which made them popular.
• Led to an increase in the number of Gold Coasters in both the Legislature and Executive Council.
• It drew international attention to Gold Coast's struggle for independence.

SCHEME 5: Social Security

Q5 (a) (i) How would you explain the concept of Social Security to your parents? (4 marks)

Explanation: Social security is a program by society/public to provide income, security and protection against the future, old age and unforeseen circumstances such as invalidity, sickness or death of a breadwinner.

Q5 (a) (ii) State any two National Social Security Schemes available in Ghana. (4 marks: 2 points @ 2 marks each - Any 2 points)

• Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
• National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
• National Pension Scheme.
• State Insurance Corporation.
• Micro Insurance Schemes (e.g., GLICO, Providence Life, Leap, Tier II and III).

Q5 (b) Suggest four reasons to convince any individual to join a Social Security Scheme in Ghana. (12 marks: 4 points @ 3 marks each - Any 4 points)

• Financial security.
• For medical care/Sick benefit.
• Poverty prevention.
• Surviving benefit/Death benefit of dependents.
• For retirement benefits and old age.
• For economic stability.
• For disability benefits/invalidity benefit.

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