A Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate has died following a road crash in the Upper West Region.
The deceased, identified as Taufii Ibrahim, a pupil of Charia Roman Catholic Junior High School, was reportedly travelling by motorcycle (okada) from Charia to his examination centre in Wa when the incident occurred.
According to JoyNews’ Upper West Regional Correspondent, Rafiq Salam, the candidate was on his way to join his colleagues to sit this year’s BECE when the motorcycle was involved in the crash on Sunday, April 3.
He was rushed to a nearby health facility but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Two pupils were said to have been on the motorcycle at the time of the accident. The second student sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The incident has cast a pall over the examination process in the area, as candidates across the country continue to sit the BECE.
Dozens Stranded:
Meanwhile, in the Shama District of the Western Region, dozens of BECE candidates were left stranded after angry residents of Nyankrom mounted roadblocks in protest against the poor state of their roads.
The demonstration, which brought economic and educational activities to a halt on Monday, May 4, involved the burning of car tyres and the erection of barricades on key routes.
The protest targeted the supply routes of two major industrial companies, Twyford Ceramics and Marcopolo Tiles, effectively blocking trucks transporting raw materials to the factories.
The situation created significant challenges for students and teachers, as the protest coincided with the ongoing BECE.
Blessing Mensah, an administrator at Unique Star Education Complex in Nyankrom, expressed concern about the psychological and logistical impact on candidates.
She noted that the blockade not only delayed students from reaching their examination centres but also disrupted academic activities in the area.
Leader of the Nyankrom Concerned Youth, Israel Kwesi Eshun, defended the protest, citing government’s failure to honour a one-month ultimatum to resume road construction.
“The government failed to meet a one-month deadline to get contractors back on site to repair the road,” he said.
Mr. Eshun further alleged that heavy-duty operations by the tile companies had worsened the condition of the road, rendering it nearly unmotorable.
“The protests will continue daily until contractors resume work,” he added.
Despite a police presence, protesters remained defiant, insisting they would only clear the roads upon seeing construction equipment return to site.
As of press time, dozens of trucks bound for the factories remained stranded on the outskirts of Nyankrom, while local authorities engaged community leaders in efforts to restore calm.
The Shama District Assembly is yet to issue an official statement on the status of the road project.
