'Your death hit us so hard' – Parents of O'Reilly SHS student stabbed to death pen emotional tribute

The tragic death of the 18-year-old final-year student of O'Reilly Senior High School, Edward Borketey Sackey, has shaken his family, friends, and the school community.

Edward, who was stabbed to death following a dispute with a classmate at the school, will be buried on Friday, October 18, 2024, following a funeral service at the Royalhouse Chapel International, Spintex Assembly, in Accra, followed by a memorial and thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Details of the funeral arrangements and tribute were sighted by GhanaWeb on Friday, October 18, 2024.

An emotional tribute penned by his parents read, "You brought us sunshine, peace, and love on the day you were born. Oh, indeed, life has taken a great one from us. Who will come to us in the morning to ask if there is anything we need.

"Who will be running our errands for us, opening the shop, and washing the car for us? Edward, you have created a void in our hearts. Your death hit us so hard that we are even short of words."

A tribute by his sister read, "You left me soo soon. I didn't even set my eyes on you that morning when you left for school. I was so heartbroken when I heard the news that sad morning. When we arrived at the hospital and I saw you laying on the hospital bed my heart was shattered.

"After that day, I had no idea who would help me with my homework, who will scold me when I go wrong, or who would escort me to school. But all the same, I know God knows why he made this happen. I’ll miss your laughter, smile, and guiding light. Rest in Peace, my only brother. Your sister!"

Background

According to reports, Edward, a General Arts student, had a physical altercation with one Godwin, a Visual Arts student, over whose father was wealthier.

The argument is said to have escalated into a fight, during which Edward was stabbed multiple times.

In an attempt to save Edward's life, a group of students quickly left the school to find a taxi to take him to the hospital.

However, he passed away shortly after arriving at the LEKMA Hospital.

The stabbing incident reportedly occurred after they had finished writing an exam as part of their West African Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Allegations of teacher negligence and unconcern

An alleged cousin of the late Edward, while speaking in an interview with TV3, disclosed that during the physical altercation between the two students, teachers were present but did not intervene.

She alleged that Edward reported the incident to a teacher, but they “did not do anything.

“When the chaos started, my brother ran to the teachers who were sitting under the tree on the school compound. I was calling the guy to stop, but they didn’t mind me, so I decided to go to my uncle, who has a shop outside the school, to report what was happening since the teachers were not doing anything. The guy is not someone to joke with; when he comes to school, he has a small bag containing harmful substances like a knife."

She claimed that even after the stabbing, the teachers were unconcerned about the victim's condition, and it only took the assistance of students to help transport the victim to LEKMA Hospital.

“No teacher followed us. I went to the hospital alone, and his father came around. It was one man passing by who helped me. It took about twenty to thirty minutes to take him to the hospital. When my uncle arrived, they told him Edward was gone because he was stabbed in the chest,” she stated.

JKB/AE

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