Body of the JHS student was found by her mother dangling from a red sack tied to the kitchen ceiling fan and hanged around her neck on that fateful afternoon!
A 16-year-old Junior High School 2 student of the Child of Hope Basic School in Tafo, Eastern Region, Barbara Asante, has killed herself by hanging. The ugly incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, 7th March 2017 at the home of the deceased.
3News reports say that mother of the girl, Mercy Asare had prepared food for Barbara and her two younger siblings that afternoon before going into her room to rest. On waking up, she noticed the absence of her daughter and started searching for her around the house, only to find her hanged in the kitchen – her body dangling from a red sack tied to the ceiling fan and hanged around her neck.
Others say Madam Asare started searching for her daughter when she wanted her to cook for the family. But when she could not find her, she decided to enter the kitchen and prepare the meal herself, only to discover her hanged there.
She had managed to cut the rope before contacting the police who immediately rushed her to the hospital. She was however pronounced dead ten minutes later. Her remains was deposited at the Akyem Tafo Hospital Mortuary while police commenced investigations into the incident.
Observations in the kitchen suggest the deceased was studying before the act, as her books lay on the table, alongside her school uniform and a knife.
According to 3News, Barbara’s mother recalled that her daughter spoke to her about death recently, saying she was called by God in one of her dreams. Kasapa Fm who interviewed Mercy Asare says she told them her daughter had told her she dreamt of burying her body in the dream the night before she committed suicide.
Other sources say the police hinted that Barbara had complained of being followed about by strange creatures. This may have promoted her to end her life.
It was also discovered after the incident that parents of the deceased JHS student are living apart. She has been living with the father in Asiakwa before moving in to stay with her mother in Tafo just two months before her tragic death. The deceased family and friends have been thrown into a state of trauma by the sad incident.
Proprietor of the Child of Hope Basic school, Esther Obeng Mensah described late Barbara as a very brilliant student. Lamenting her sudden demise, Madam Mensah suggested her broken home may have been the major reason behind her taking her life. She therefore advised parents, especially mothers to be close to their children so that they can confide in them.
It appears that cases of suicide by students is becoming a trend in the Ghanaian society. Just few weeks ago, it was the 100-level KNUST student suicide inside her hostel room. Yesterday, it was the final year University of Ghana student jumping down from the fourth floor of her hostel. And now, this JHS student hanging herself!
We use this opportunity to appeal to all whose life is going miserable to seek help before the condition becomes overwhelming, to forestall tragic incidents like this.
Please, if you are undergoing challenges that are becoming too difficult to handle, seek counsel, don’t die in silence. We also plead with all to reach out to those who need emotional support before it becomes too late.
Your life is more precious than anything you can ever think of!
Suicide is not the answer! Stay alive!
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