One candidate, writing the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Duapompo M/A Junior High School in the Juaben municipality of the Ashanti region is reported to have abandoned the examination to engage in illegal mining popularly called ‘galamsey.’
A teacher told our reporter when the Municipal Chief Executive for Juaben, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, visited the school to assess the readiness of candidates and also motivates them.
The action of the male student-candidate is reported to have been influenced by money.
“He told us he was going to look for money, and that will give him a better future than writing an exam,” a teacher revealed on condition of anonymity.
Illegal mining is rife in the Juaben municipality, especially in Bomfa, which dominated headlines in 2024 following an expose by Okatakyie Afrifa which allegedly captured a political party Chairman.
Confirming the report, the Municipal Director of Education, Phyllis Boateng said “he registered, but he stopped coming to school.”
The MCE, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu said “I am yet to find out because the headmaster is also not around, so when we get to the office I will call him.”
A total of 1,465 candidates from 9 private and 34 public schools, made up of 757 males and 708 females in the Juaben municipality, registered for the examination. But one Prince Owusu Snr. from Duamponpo MA JHS was absent.
Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Juaben, has warned candidates taking the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the municipality to stay away from examination malpractices to avoid cancellation of their papers.
A total of 120,285 candidates are expected to take part in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at 432 examination centres in the Ashanti region.
The figure represents 20% of that of the national numbers.
Male candidates constitute 59,999, with 60,286 being female candidates.
Western North Region: 19-year-old drowns in abandoned ‘galamsey’ pit at Chiene
By William Evans-Nkum|ConnectFM|Kumasi
