How three female candidates missed BECE over ‘forced’ marriages

Three teenage girls, aged between 13 and 16, reportedly missed the opportunity to sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) over an alleged forced marriage in Yapei in the Savannah Region.

According to residents, the girls had been studying hard and preparing tirelessly for the exams, but were sent off into early marriages after their families reportedly agreed to marriage arrangements before the exams started on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Three female candidates unable to write BECE

According to a report by aaseradio.com, on May 7, 2026, the District Chief Executive for Central Gonja, Mahama Fuseini, confirmed the incident, expressing deep regret and disappointment over the matter.

He described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable, stressing that the welfare and future of the teenagers had been hindered.

He indicated that the district assembly will collaborate with the Department of Social Welfare and other stakeholders to ensure the girls are rescued and returned to school, stressing that education remains one of the most powerful tools for empowering girls to break the cycle of poverty in many communities.

Many girls, especially in the northern parts of Ghana, continue to face the same painful reality of forced marriage at an early age.

The incident has once again sparked important conversations about child marriage and its devastating effects on young girls in rural communities.

NA/VPO

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