Post views:5,154
Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO) has issued a press release calling on the Government of Ghana to take immediate action to support students in tension-affected areas sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The exams, which commenced on August 5, 2025, and will end on September 19, 2025, will see a total of 461,640 final-year senior high school students across the country participating.¹
The areas affected by tension that UFO is concerned about include:
- Bawku
- Zuarungu
- Nkwanta South
- Nalerigu in the North East Region
These areas have experienced heightened tensions, including chieftaincy clashes, which have led to concerns about security measures and the potential impact on students' well-being and academic performance.
UFO has made the following recommendations to the government:
Counselling Services*: Deploy counsellors to communicate with students in affected areas to help them cope with trauma and stress caused by tensions.
Safe and Good Accommodation*: Provide safe and good accommodation for students writing exams in these areas to ensure a conducive environment for studying and preparing for exams.
Friendly and Peaceful Environment*: Deploy security agencies to create a friendly and peaceful environment at examination centers, enabling students to focus on their studies and sit for exams without undue stress or distraction.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken steps to ensure the safety of candidates in conflict-prone areas. According to the Director-General of GES, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, the service has ramped up efforts to ensure incident-free examinations. All candidates in high-risk zones will reside on school premises under security protection for the exam duration, eliminating daily commutes.
UFO's call for government intervention highlights the need for support and protection for students in tension-affected areas. By providing counselling services, safe accommodation, and a peaceful environment, the government can help mitigate the impact of tensions on students' mental health and academic performance. As the exams progress, it is essential for the government to prioritize the well-being and safety of all students, particularly those in areas affected by conflict.