News
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
News
Avoid Johannesburg CBD unless travel there is necessary – Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa
Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has urged Ghanaians to take note of a significant protest currently taking place in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) today, Wednesday, 29 April 2026 by the March and March over unemployment and undocumented foreign nationals.
According to them, this has already led to major traffic disruptions and interruptions to normal business activities in the CBD
Given the nature of the protest, the High Commission noted that there is a heightened risk of tension, particularly toward foreign nationals.
“Please advise all to exercise caution throughout the day. It is advisable to avoid the Johannesburg CBD unless travel there is absolutely necessary. Those who live in Johannesburg are urged to remain indoors or in secure locations and limit unnecessary movement,” It stated.
Additionally, they added that “Members of the community should also be reminded not to engage with protesters under any circumstances, even if approached or provoked, and to prioritize their personal safety at all times. Carrying valid identification and relevant documentation is essential.”
Ghanaians in South Africa have been urged to stay in close communication “with members of our community and check in on individuals who may be particularly vulnerable. Parents and guardians should ensure that children remain in safe environments and avoid travel through affected areas.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
An aide to former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the government over ongoing power outages, urging authorities to prioritise solutions instead of explanations.
His comments come in response to recent remarks by Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor regarding challenges in the power sector.
Speaking on the issue on Channel One TV, Mr. Aboagye questioned the government’s justification that ongoing transformer upgrades and system expansions are responsible for the outages.
He argued that such maintenance work has been carried out in the past without causing widespread disruption.
He said the situation does not make sense, insisting that it is possible to upgrade infrastructure without plunging the entire country into darkness.
According to him, Ghanaians are more concerned about having stable electricity than listening to explanations.
“Your talking means nothing to us. Give us power,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye added that the power situation is affecting lives and livelihoods across the country.
He claimed that businesses are shutting down, people are losing their jobs, and some lives are being put at risk due to the outages.
He pointed to rising costs, noting that consumers are paying more for electricity despite the unstable supply.
The former Vice President’s aide further criticised the government for what he described as a lack of respect for citizens, saying the focus should be on delivering reliable power rather than assigning blame.
By: Jacob Aggrey
