Pupil dies after writing two BECE papers

Manfo (Ash), April 25, GNA - A student of the Keniago District Assembly Junior Secondary School, near Manfo in the Ahafo-Ano North District of Ashanti Region, Master Collins Addai, 16, died shortly after writing two papers on the first day of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Manfo Centre on Monday.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the incident, Mr Isaac Kwadwo Boamah, the Headmaster of the School, said shortly after writing the religious and moral education paper, the deceased, who came out of the examination room with his colleagues, started vomiting.

He said the deceased was, therefore, rushed to the Manfo Health Centre but was referred to the Tepa Government Hospital after examination from where he was again referred to the Hwidiem Catholic Hospital in the Asutifi District of Brong-Ahafo but died on the way. Mr Peter Addai, the deceased's father in an interview said the son had sickle cell anaemia and periodically had crises, adding that he had taken him to various hospitals in Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions. He expressed appreciation to the Headmaster; Ahafo-Ano District Director of Education and the District Chief Executive for the efforts made to save his son.

Meanwhile, the body has been deposited at the Tepa Hospital morgue for burial on Tuesday, May 2 2006.