18-Year-Old Notre Dame Girls SHS Student Jacinta Appiah Dies Moments After Final WASSCE Paper

Jacinta Phiapre Kubi Appiah, an 18-year-old student at Notre Dame Girls Senior High School in the Bono Region, tragically passed away on June 17, 2026, moments after completing her final West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) paper. The student, originally from Seikwa, reportedly collapsed during celebrations with her classmates following the conclusion of her Biology exam. Witnesses stated she fell unconscious and was immediately rushed to the SDA Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival, turning what should have been a milestone of academic achievement into a day of mourning for the entire school community.

Details emerging after the incident indicate that Appiah had been struggling with her health in the days leading up to her final paper. She had reportedly complained of persistent chest pains and had sought medical attention prior to the examination. There are currently conflicting accounts regarding the nature of her medical care; while some fellow students alleged that she was denied sufficient medical leave, education officials have countered these claims. The Bono Regional Director of Education clarified that the student had indeed been granted formal permission to seek medical care but had personally insisted on returning to the school premises to ensure she sat for her final examination.

The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the conclusion of the WASSCE period in the region and sparked a broader debate regarding student health management. Jacinta was buried on June 24, 2026, exactly one week after her passing, in a ceremony attended by grieving family members and classmates. While school and regional officials maintain that health protocols were followed and the student was given the choice to prioritize her health, the loss of a young life under such high-pressure circumstances has prompted calls for more robust medical support systems and emergency protocols within senior high schools during national testing periods.