L-R: Nana Akomeah, Kwesi Pratt, Ellen Daaku and GizellaTetteh have condemned inter-schools violence
Indiscipline in Senior High Schools has become a topical issue among prominent personalities and institutions in Ghana following reports of hooliganism during the 2026 Inter-Schools competition.
In a recent video, a student from Obrachire SHS was seen being assaulted by individuals in uniform, who threw stones at him multiple times and physically attacked him. Another individual who attempted to intervene was also assaulted, with both suffering beatings in the process.
Student assaulted at Swedru during inter-co narrates his ordeal
Prior to this, there were other chaotic incidents, including students clashing and destroying seats at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. There was also a disturbing report of gang rape and assault in the Eastern Region.
In response, several personalities have condemned these acts and expressed disappointment in SHS staff for failing to control and discipline students.
Others have called for stiffer punishment for the culprits to restore the integrity of educational institutions during inter-school competitions.
Kwesi Pratt
The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt, urged educational authorities to take drastic measures to instill discipline in SHS. However, he disagreed with claims that the ban on flogging in schools is the cause of rising indiscipline.
“Sometimes people say because flogging was banned in SHS that’s why indiscipline has risen. But is it true? In some cases, students are punished to the extent that they become stubborn, and that’s not discipline. Some kids are advised and they behave well. We need elite educators to tackle the issue,” he said in Twi on Peace FM.
Nana Akomea
Former Managing Director of the State Transport Company (STC), Nana Akomea, blamed the menace on the lack of proactive measures from SHS staff and called for stronger action.
“Parents guide their children, and even when they grow, we still do. When we take the kids to school, the environment has a bigger bearing on disciplining them. Discipline depends largely on the staff, the headmaster, teachers, and others. In those days, discipline was very high, so the primary responsibility lies with the headmaster,” he said in Twi on Peace FM.
National Peace Council
The National Peace Council (NPC), in a press release, expressed disgust over the surge in indiscipline during inter-school competitions.
“The Council noted six cases of student assault in one week, including the attack on a student from Obrachire SHS in the Central Region, who was hospitalized after being attacked during a district athletics competition. The NPC strongly condemned the alleged gang rape of a female student from Osino Presbyterian SHS and the stabbing of a final-year student of Koforidua SECTECH during the Super Zonal sports festival in the Eastern Region.
“While the Ghana Education Service (GES) has promised disciplinary action, the NPC urged the Ministry of Education to fast-track investigations. It also called for improved security at schools and sporting events, as well as strengthened counseling services to address underlying issues of indiscipline,” portions of the statement read.
Abdul Fatawu Alhassan
The Member of Parliament for Yendi and a member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Education, Abdul Fatawu Alhassan, urged authorities to ensure justice is served.
“I think the law should be allowed to take its course. We have the juvenile justice system. These students may not have reached the age for the normal justice system. Sometimes prison hardens people. Given that these are students who are yet to get the right exposure in life, I don’t think they should start by being exposed to the four walls of prison,” he told Channel One TV.
Ellen Ama Daaku
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has criticised the headmaster of Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS), alleging that he showed a lack of urgency during a meeting with the CID Director concerning violent incidents involving students of the school.
“I didn’t like the reaction of the Swedru School of Business headmaster. He was just laughing when a whole CID boss was talking to him. The Ministry of Education should deal with him. He is just pissing me off. This is the one we have left our kids with,” she said on Metro TV.
Gizella Tetteh
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West Constituency, Gizella Tetteh Agbotui, condemned the violence at the inter-schools competitions and called for radical reforms.
“This should not be normalised. It is not what the public should see us do. This goes out to both the majority and the minority. We must act to stop this trend,” she said.
SB/JE
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