Assin South, Ghana — A tragic incident has shocked the nation after Awudu Gariba, a 14-year-old Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate from Nnuanua Number 1 Basic School, collapsed and died during his final exams on Friday, June 13, 2025.
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The young student had reportedly shown visible signs of illness during Thursday’s exams and was taken to the Adiembra CHPS compound. However, he was denied treatment due to an ongoing nurses’ strike, leaving him without medical assistance.
Despite his worsening condition, Awudu returned to write his final paper the next day. Sadly, he collapsed in the examination hall during the first paper. He was immediately rushed to the Assin Fosu Polyclinic, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Medical professionals have since suggested that his death could have been prevented with timely medical intervention.
The incident has once again drawn national attention to Ghana’s ongoing healthcare labour disputes, particularly the strike actions by nurses and midwives over poor conditions of service. Many are blaming systemic failures and poor healthcare policies for this tragic and avoidable loss.
Isaac Opoku, the Assin South District Education Director, confirmed the news to Channel One, stating:
“Arrangements are being made to inform Awudu’s parents about the tragic incident.”
The untimely death of Awudu Gariba has sparked outrage across social media and communities, with many demanding urgent reforms in the healthcare sector to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This heartbreaking case is not only a reminder of the challenges facing Ghana’s public health system but also a call for decisive action to ensure that no student, child, or citizen loses their life due to preventable negligence.
