‘Mama, you came too late’ – Mother reveals her dying KNUST SHS son’s last words

Mother of the final year KNUST SHS student has recounted the last words of her dying son. 

He told me, “Mama, you came too late”, the sorrowful mother, Comfort Baidoo, said in an interview with Joy News, monitored by theghanareport.com.

“I then told him, “Nana, it is not my fault. They didn’t call me early enough. If they knew they couldn’t help my son, they should have told me,” she said while weeping.

Leonard died after he suffered hours of severe stomach pains in school.

His death sparked demonstration among his peers in school who accused school authorities of failing to attend to their dying colleague.

A viral video showed 17-year-old Leonard was left helpless in the care of his friends for several hours while he battled for his life.

His teachers looked on as the Form 3 Business student struggled to survive the unbearable pain over claims they feared he had contracted COVID-19.

Distressed Comfort Baidoo had some questions for the teachers of her late son.

“Why did they just stand there and watch my son? Why didn’t they do anything? Tech hospital (KNUST hospital) is just around the corner. Why didn’t they even call an ambulance?” the distraught mother puzzled.

Leonard died after his father picked him up to the hospital from school.

“After his father raced through traffic with a taxi to get to the school, my son was on the floor surrounded by students. He was weak when he was put into the vehicle,” she narrated.

Her mother said she also had a difficult time getting to her son.

“I ran through the streets and allays of Dr. Mensah in the dark, falling and rising to my feet. He was so weak when I finally met him.

She also questioned the integrity of the government’s promise and assurance of protection for students as they returned to school to prepare for their exit exams.

“We were told that the president (Nana Akufo-Addo) had directed that all parents should stay away from the schools. They said ambulance and nursing services would be provided for sick students. So we placed our trust in the teachers.

“I even followed up to the Senior House Master who showed me where my son would sleep. So after all that, I told them I was leaving the boy in their care. They said okay. Only for this to happen,” she said.

The family of the deceased is seeking justice and relief from the government.

“We plead with government, whether justice or relief, it’s in government’s hands. We’re watching government,” she stated.

The father of the 17-year-old said his family is awaiting a visit from officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and some family members to decide on the burial of their son.