BECE candidate skips exam to engage in ‘galamsey’
A student from Duamponpo M/A Junior High School in the Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region has reportedly dropped out of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to take up work in illegal mining.
The boy, identified as Prince Owusu Snr, was among 1,465 candidates registered for this year’s BECE in the area.
However, he failed to show up when the exams began.
His decision, according to a teacher at the school, was driven by the lure of fast money through galamsey.
“He told us he was going to look for money, and that would give him a better future than writing an exam,” the teacher said, speaking anonymously.
The incident came to light during a visit by the Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, who toured schools to monitor the exams and encourage students.
She expressed concern over the boy’s absence and said further investigations would be conducted.
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Confirming the development, Municipal Director of Education, Phyllis Boateng, noted that Prince had stopped attending school after registering for the exams.
Illegal mining, or galamsey, remains a widespread issue in Juaben, particularly in the Bomfa area.
The region has seen a surge in youth abandoning formal education for risky mining ventures that promise quick financial gain.
Authorities continue to urge students to prioritise education, warning that involvement in illegal activities not only threatens their future but also undermines community development.