A police officer dragging a female and male student
CHAOS ERUPTED at the Techiman Krobo Nursing Training College on Monday, July 27, 2026, as police officers descended on protesting students with clubs and batons, leaving several injured and four people arrested.
The victims include two students and two journalists who are currently in police custody for their involvement in the demonstration.
Complaints
The protest was sparked by claims of unresolved concerns with school management and the alleged unfair treatment by the school’s principal, Dr. Hellen Dwamena.
The protesting students cited key grievances including poor feeding, deplorable sanitary conditions, and a total breakdown in communication between college management and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
They also cited the school’s most recent durbar, during which no student or staff member was allowed to speak except the principal. They further accused the principal of excluding the SRC from the school’s advisory board and refusing to pay board members their government-approved allowances.
Demonstration
According to sources, the police initially escorted the demonstration, but the situation reportedly escalated during efforts to disperse the crowd, leading to arrests and multiple gunshots.
Videos circulating on social media showed some students with placards running away while police officers are seen chasing them and firing gunshots to disperse the crowd.
The students also alleged that some of their colleagues were picked up by police officers on the advice of the principal. They vowed not to back down until authorities address the poor conditions which, according to them, have persisted for years.
Principal’s Response
Reports indicate that the principal, Dr. Hellen Dwamena, claims the students were acting illegally after they had locked her office and taken to the streets to demonstrate against her stewardship.
She indicated that the students have escalated the issue by calling for her dismissal, alleging that she’s autocratic and extorts money from them.
NUGS Condemns Brutality
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has condemned the alleged assault.
In a statement, NUGS President, Rashid Ibrahim, said the association had received, “disturbing reports” that students were attacked while protesting poor welfare conditions at the school.
NUGS referenced Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration.
“Students do not lose this constitutional right because they are on campus. It is therefore deeply worrying that students exercising this legitimate right were reportedly met with violence instead of protection,” Mr. Ibrahim stated.
The union thus called on the Inspector General of Police to “immediately order a thorough and independent investigation into the incident” and ensure any officer found to have acted unlawfully is held accountable.
While acknowledging that the police have a duty to maintain law and order, NUGS stressed that it “must always be carried out professionally and with full respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.”
The union also urged the Ministry of Health and management of Techiman Krobo Nursing Training College to ensure that all students who sustained injuries receive immediate medical care.
“More importantly, the welfare concerns that triggered the demonstration must be addressed without further delay. Students deserve a safe learning environment and a management that listens and responds to their legitimate concerns,” NUGS said.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke