In an extraordinary and truly inspiring display of determination, a teenage candidate sitting for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana made a remarkable and swift return to complete her papers, just a day after unexpectedly delivering a baby at the Asenua Presby School exam centre in the Ashanti Region. This astonishing story has quickly captivated the nation, shedding light on the immense resilience of young students and the immediate, compassionate community support that rallied around her in a moment of critical need.
The young girl, whose identity is being rigorously protected due to her minor status and the sensitive nature of the event, had reportedly been out of school for several weeks leading up to the exams due to her pregnancy. This presented a significant challenge, both academically and personally. However, her headteacher, demonstrating commendable foresight and a deep commitment to her future, recognized the paramount importance of her education. Through persistent encouragement and support, the headteacher successfully convinced the young mother-to-be to take part in the crucial national examinations, ensuring she wouldn’t miss this pivotal academic milestone.
The dramatic and unforeseen events unfolded on Monday, June 9, 2025, during the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) paper, one of the early subjects of the BECE. Feeling unwell amidst the pressure of the exam hall, the student discreetly requested permission from the invigilators to use the washroom. It was there, away from the structured environment of the examination room, that her body went into unexpected labor.
A quick-thinking and alert policewoman, who was on duty escorting students at the centre, immediately recognized the gravity of the unfolding situation. Her rapid assessment and a quick call for help were swiftly answered by compassionate community members who were nearby and rushed to the scene. Their immediate and selfless assistance proved absolutely crucial. Demonstrating incredible composure under pressure, these women helped the young girl deliver her baby safely within one of the offices at the exam centre, transforming a tense situation into one of relief and joy with the safe arrival of a new life.
“She’s my landlord’s daughter. We saw her coming to write the exam and we saw her use the washroom. She couldn’t walk when she was coming back, and I noticed she was in labor so I rushed there. We helped her deliver here before taking her to the hospital. The baby is fine,” recounted one of the women who assisted in the delivery, her voice filled with relief and a touch of awe at the memory of the impromptu birthing. This account powerfully conveys the suddenness of the event and the immediate, caring response of those present.
Another woman who was part of the emergency birthing team vividly narrated the tense yet ultimately successful experience: “She hasn’t given birth before, but we realized she was in labor. She couldn’t even walk. We slowly took her to the office and we the women all assisted so the men wouldn’t come there.” This detail highlights the sensitive handling of the situation, ensuring the young mother’s dignity. “It was a smooth delivery, but we had to take her to the hospital to take the umbilical cord,” she added, underscoring that while the immediate birth was successful, professional medical attention was still vital for the completion of the delivery process.
Following the birth, the head pastor in charge of Asenua Presby Church, Rev. Kennedy Opoku, played a pivotal role in ensuring the new mother and her baby received proper medical care. Recognizing the potential delays and challenges posed by an ongoing strike by health workers in government hospitals across Ghana, Rev. Opoku made the crucial decision to rush the girl directly to a private hospital. “Since nurses are on strike, we thought it right to go straight to a private hospital so that they attend to her. When we got there, they helped her bring the placenta out. They came to the car on arrival and helped her out in the car,” he recalled, emphasizing the urgency and the dedicated care provided by the private facility’s staff, even assisting the patient from the vehicle.
Despite the profound physical and emotional ordeal of giving birth in such unexpected circumstances, the young mother displayed an extraordinary and inspiring level of resilience. To the astonishment and admiration of many, she returned to the exam centre on Tuesday morning, June 10, 2025, less than 24 hours after giving birth, determined to continue with the remainder of her BECE papers. This act of unwavering commitment to her education speaks volumes about her character and aspirations.
School authorities, deeply conscious of her safety, privacy, and dignity as a minor, have commendably denied any media interaction, ensuring she can focus on her recovery and examinations without additional pressure or unwanted attention. This responsible approach ensures her well-being during a highly vulnerable period.
When questioned about whether the Ghana Education Service (GES) typically has provisions in place for such unexpected medical emergencies during national examinations, Elizabeth Marfo, the Deputy PRO for the GES in the Mamponteng district, admitted the unprecedented nature of this event. Having served for over 15 years, she stated: “For the time I’ve been working as an officer for GES, no; we don’t have that. We always come for the exam but this is my first time observing such.” Her statement underscores the truly unique and unexpected circumstances of this situation, which likely caught everyone off guard.
Officials have confirmed that the teenage mother is currently in stable condition, both physically and emotionally. Arrangements are actively being made to ensure her comfort and safety throughout the remaining days of the examination period, demonstrating a commitment to supporting her through this challenging but ultimately triumphant time. This remarkable story stands as a poignant testament to the indomitable spirit of a young student facing extraordinary challenges, and the vital role of an empathetic community and school support system in ensuring educational continuity even in the most unforeseen and dramatic circumstances.
Source: Thepressradio.com
