Literature-In-English Paper 2 WASSCE (PC 2ND), 2022

Question 3      ALEX AGYEI-AGYIRI: Unexpected Joy at Dawn

Comment on Nii Tackie’s experiences at the Hajj camp in the novel

Observation

This question is the experiences of Nii Tackie at the Hajj camp in the novel. A number of candidates merely narrated the events during the migration of Nii.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following:

  • Relation to the theme of social dysfunction and xenophobia.
  • The character identification of Nii as the protagonist; and a description of the Hajj camp
  • Setting out for the Hajj camp: Marshak has died and been buried ignobly, leaving Nii despondent and Nii has to leave for Ghana. Nii and the others demand an advance of their wages to move to the Hajj camp but are denied.
  • Conditions at the camp: The camp is overcrowded and the crowd is hungry and thirsty. Nii and the others plant the African unity flag but a sergeant destroys the flag. Nii later finds the susu boss hanging from a tree.
  • Breaking free and heading back: Nii disarms a corporal alleged to have raped a lady. He points the gun at the soldier but does not shoot him, as the crowd expects. The crowd breaks free and marches out before the eyes of the few security men. Nii, Aaron and Linda hurry past the gate. Nii and Aaron head towards a large cassava farm as Linda heads for the airport. Nii and Aaron head back in search of Ijase.

Candidates performed creditably well.