The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has shut down Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality following a violent clash which has led to the burning and destruction of several structures in both schools.
According to the Headmaster of Okuapeman SHS, six students were hospitalised after sustaining injuries, of which four have been treated and discharged, with the remaining two still on admission.
The incident resulted in the burning of the Visual Arts studio, teachers’ office and seven other classrooms, including exams papers and certificates at Okuapeman SHS.
Also, the store room and boys’ washroom at Mount Sinai Senior High School has also been burnt.
REGSEC has directed the closure of both schools.
The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr. Ivy Asantewaa, described the situation as unfortunate while addressing the students, highlighting that the Ghana Education Service (GES) will not shield any student involved in the attack.
“It doesn’t take one person to fight, it takes two or more. We are not happy with what has happened. You are here to study and avail yourself to be morally upright, and so you need to comport yourselves,” she added.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu-Bempah, also expressed disgust about how students attacked police officers who were deployed to the schools at the early stages of the incident, and assured both schools that all perpetrators will be fished out and prosecuted.
The Chairperson of REGSEC and Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, expressed disappointment about the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing and all suspects will be dealt with according to the law.
“We are building a nation, we are not destroying a nation. We are resetting and that includes resetting you…those who started throwing the stones will not be allowed to go scot-free,” she said.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to unravel the cause of the clash between the two schools who allegedly have a long-standing history of rivalry.
By Florence Adom Asamoah