Five prisoners from Kumasi Central Prison have joined thousands of pupils throughout the country to take the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which began on Wednesday.
Male candidates aged 20 to 25 are taking tests at the Bantama Examination Centre under tight supervision. Their participation is part of the Ghana Prisons Service’s ongoing endeavor to provide jailed inmates with the tools they need to reintegrate into society through formal education.
Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, visited numerous exam centers in the city, including the Bantama Centre, to convey his support and encouragement to all candidates, particularly incarcerated participation.
“I’m encouraged to see these young men taking such a brave step toward a new beginning. “This is a sign of hope,” Boadi stated during his visit. He also pledged the city’s cooperation by offering to reimburse registration fees for any inmate who qualifies for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Mayor’s tour also included visits to exam venues such as Opoku Ware School in Nhyiaeso, Adventist and Asanteman SHS in Bantama, and Serwaa Nyarko SHS in Manhyia North. Boadi advised students to avoid examination malpractice and instead focus on establishing a prosperous future. “This is the first step toward shaping your destiny — take it seriously,” he demanded.
Officials from Ghana’s Prisons Service commended the effort, emphasizing the transforming impact education plays in rehabilitation. They underlined that providing convicts with information and skills is critical to lowering recidivism and preparing them for productive lives after prison.
The offenders’ involvement in the BECE has been widely viewed as a demonstration of the power of second chances and the value of education in altering lives, even behind prison walls.
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