The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of two candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Taufii Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, pupils of Charia Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Upper West Region.
A statement signed by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, said preliminary reports indicate that the two candidates died in a road traffic accident on Sunday, May 3, 2026, while travelling to Wa to join their colleagues ahead of the start of the examination.
“We are deeply saddened that these young lives, full of promise and potential, have been cut short under such distressing circumstances,” the GES stated.
BECE begins nationwide under tight supervision
The 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination commenced on Monday, May 4, 2026, at centres across the country. According to reports, hundreds of thousands of candidates from both public and private junior high schools are taking part in the week-long examination, which determines placement into senior high schools, technical and vocational institutions.
The examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in collaboration with the GES, covers core subjects including English, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies, alongside elective papers. Authorities say stringent measures have been put in place to curb malpractice, while candidates with special needs are receiving the necessary support.
The deaths of the two candidates have cast a pall over the examination period, with education officials raising concerns about the safety of candidates travelling long distances, particularly from rural communities, to examination centres.
GES extends condolences, calls for safety measures
The GES, together with the broader education community, has extended its condolences to the bereaved families, the school, and the colleagues of the deceased candidates.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” the statement added.
The Service indicated that it would continue to liaise with the relevant authorities to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident and consider measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
“May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” the statement concluded.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh