Eight Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates from Nangbagu Yapala M/A JHS in the Northern Region were involved in a road accident while heading to write Tuesday’s paper at the Tamale Secondary School (Tamasco) examination centre in the Sagnarigu Municipality.
The incident occurred about 5km from the centre when the tricycle transporting the students collided with a motorbike carrying a man and his wife. The motorcyclist died on the spot, while his wife and all eight students sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A supervisor accompanying the students, Abdulai Mohammed, said the crash happened after the tricycle’s steering reportedly locked, causing the rider to lose control and slam into the motorbike.
“We found another means to take them to the Tamale West Hospital, but due to the ongoing strike, it took some time before two nurses and one doctor attended to them,” Mr Mohammed said.
Although the students had not been discharged, they were determined to sit the exam. Unfortunately, they arrived after the first paper had ended.
“When we got to the centre, the first paper was over, and the other students were coming out. We pleaded for our students to be allowed to write, but they were denied,” he added.
Mr Mohammed said the news devastated the students. “Some of them started collapsing when they were told they couldn’t write the paper. As we speak, they’ve been rushed back to the hospital.”
The incident has sparked concern among community members and education stakeholders, who are calling for immediate support and redress for the affected students.
Tricycles—popularly known as “motorkings”—are not legally permitted to carry passengers in Ghana due to safety risks. However, they are widely used for transport in both rural and urban areas, especially where access to safer means is limited.
