“It’ll Give Me a Better Future”: BECE Candidate Abandons Exams for Galamsey

A male candidate registered for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at Duamponpo M/A Junior High School in the Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region has reportedly abandoned the exams to engage in illegal mining, locally known as ‘galamsey.’

The incident came to light during a visit by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Juaben, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, who toured various schools to assess the examination process and encourage candidates.

According to reports by a teacher at the school on condition of anonymity, the student chose illegal mining over the exam, believing it would offer him a more profitable future.

“He told us he was going to look for money, and that would give him a better future than writing the exam,” the teacher disclosed.

The Municipal Director of Education, Phyllis Boateng, confirmed the student’s absence, noting that although he registered, he had stopped attending school prior to the exams.

MCE Ansu acknowledged the situation but indicated that further details would be gathered. “I am yet to find out because the headmaster is also not around. When we get to the office, I will call him,” she said.

In total, 1,465 candidates—757 males and 708 females—from 9 private and 34 public schools in the Juaben Municipality registered for the BECE. However, Prince Owusu Snr., a student of Duamponpo M/A JHS, was marked absent.