Government is studying the report of an investigation into the circumstances under which a 17-year-old student became paralysed after falling from a tree his teacher allegedly forced him to climb. 

A Deputy Education Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa said this after reports emerged that the boy has died.

Richard Djamgba fell from a coconut tree and was left paralysed after his teacher instructed him to pluck a fruit for him.

Although he informed the teacher he could not climb the tree, Sir Johnson, as the teacher is popularly referred to, called him a liar and threatened to punish him if he failed to pluck the fruit, the boy told Joy News shortly after the incident.

He had no choice but to oblige. He fell from the tree midway his perilous endeavour and was declared permanently paralysed by doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Dr Abdallah who attended to Richard said, “he is paralysed in the lower limbs and apart from that he’s also got some fractures on his upper limbs which are sorted out through orthopaedic surgery. Sorry he may not be able to walk again”.

Richard’s condition grew worse after appeals for funds did not yield any results, so he was discharged from the hospital.

His worried cousin Bright Samgbo threatened to take the case to court after several appeals to education authorities fell on deaf ears.

Sadly six months after the incident, Richard Gyamgba has passed away. The said teacher never called or visited the boy whilst he was hospitalized.

His uncle, Samuel Narh told Joy News his nephew died because the family had no money to treat him.

Education Authorities in the Eastern Region say they are investigating the issue but have declined to speak on the matter.

Joy News’ Beatrice Adu has been following the story and reports that several attempts to reach the headmaster of the school, the teacher and the Education Director were unsuccessful.

The Deputy Minister says his outfit will look into the issue and come out with a full report later.

Authorities of the Suhum Aboabo Sonkor Presbyterian Basic School in the Eastern Region are tight-lipped on the matter after the boy's death.