In Mepe, located in the North Tongu Constituency, BECE candidates are facing severe emotional and physical challenges as they prepare for their final exam on Monday July 8.
These students have been living in two separate camps for months, following the Akosombo Dam spillage at Degorme.
On the night of Saturday, July 7, 2024, I visited Degorme Camp One. Established 10 months ago during the dam spillage, this camp now houses several BECE candidates.
Upon entering, I found a group of students studying under a single light fixture, constantly swatting and scratching due to mosquito bites. The conditions are far from ideal for learning; they lack desks and textbooks, which were lost during the flood.
Many students choose to study in their tents to avoid mosquitoes, but the tents lack lighting and proper ventilation, making it difficult to focus. Independent learners face additional challenges, often having to move close to the forest to find a quiet place to study.
Female students at the camp report ongoing harassment from men both inside and outside the camp. Financial hardships have made them vulnerable to exploitation, as they struggle to pay for mock exams, textbooks, and daily necessities.
One girl expressed her distress, stating, “I wish to be relocated from the camp. The men are taking advantage of us, and it’s difficult to say no because we need the money.”
Sopher, a camp leader, highlighted that NADMO no longer visits to provide food or water. The health conditions of many children in the camp are deteriorating rapidly. Without intervention from NADMO, other government agencies, or private organizations.
These flood victims, including school-aged children, will continue to endure these harsh conditions.
The situation in Degorme camps is dire. BECE candidates are in desperate need of better living and studying conditions to prepare for their exams. Immediate action is required to ensure their safety, health, and educational prospects.
By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey
