Thirty-four prisoners are participating in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), an important milestone in Ghana’s education system that transitions students from Junior High Schools to Senior High Schools and Technical Institutions. 

The candidates, all males, include 27 juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), 5 from Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, and 2 from Sunyani Central Prison.

The Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer for Ghana Prisons Service, DSP Loretta Valentina Amoah, shared in an interview that the inmates have been thoroughly prepared by qualified, trained teachers from both the correctional service and the Ghana Education Service.

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She expressed optimism about the inmates' performance, confident they would excel in all subjects.

However, DSP Valentina Amoah also highlighted the challenges faced in the preparation process, such as inadequate teaching and learning materials. 

These obstacles hinder the inmates' ability to upgrade their educational capabilities fully. She urged the public to support the inmates, particularly the juveniles, by donating textbooks and past questions to enhance their learning experience.

Interviews with some of the inmate candidates revealed a strong sense of readiness and confidence. 

They praised their teachers for their thorough preparation and expressed high hopes of achieving excellent results in this year’s BECE. The inmates' enthusiasm and dedication underscore their commitment to making the most of this educational opportunity.

The first batch of inmates, comprising 21 juveniles and young offenders, sat for the BECE in 2009 and achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate. Since then, they have consistently maintained this record of excellence. 

Last year, 51 prisoners across the country took the BECE and also recorded a 100% pass rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of the educational programs within the correctional facilities.