Okuapeman and Mount Sinai SHSs closed after violent clash, fire destroys school facilities
The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has directed the closure of Okuapeman Senior High School (OKUASS) and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality following violent reprisal attacks that resulted in the burning and destruction of school facilities.
The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has directed the closure of Okuapeman Senior High School (OKUASS) and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality following violent reprisal attacks that resulted in the burning and destruction of school facilities.
The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, although the exact trigger for the confrontation remains unclear.
Six students of Okuapeman SHS were injured and hospitalised following the incident.
According to the Headmaster of Okuapeman SHS, four of the injured students have been treated and discharged, while two remain on admission.
Several facilities at Okuapeman SHS were reportedly destroyed in the fire. They include the Visual Arts studio, teachers’ office and seven classrooms. Examination papers and certificates stored in some of the affected facilities were also reportedly burnt.
At Mount Sinai Senior High School, the store room and boys’ washroom were also destroyed by fire.
The extent of the damage prompted REGSEC to visit both schools and assess the situation before directing their temporary closure.
Following the assessment, students of Mount Sinai SHS were directed to leave the school premises before 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2.
Students of Okuapeman SHS are expected to leave campus on the morning of Thursday, September 3.
The closure is intended to help restore calm and allow security agencies to conduct investigations into the incident.
The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr. Ivy Asantewaa, described the incident as unfortunate and warned that the Ghana Education Service (GES) would not shield students found to have participated in the attacks.
Addressing students, she urged them to maintain discipline and focus on their education.
“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 said.
She urged students to exercise restraint and allow the appropriate authorities to deal with the matter.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu-Bempah, expressed concern over the conduct of some students during the incident, particularly reports that police officers deployed to the schools were attacked.
He assured the two schools that the police would investigate the incident and identify those responsible.
According to him, perpetrators found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Chairperson of REGSEC and Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, expressed disappointment over the incident, particularly at a time when the government is working to improve and retool senior high school facilities across the country.
She said investigations were ongoing and warned that anyone found to have participated in the attacks would face the law.
“We are building a nation, we are not destroying a nation. We are resetting and that includes resetting you. Investigations are going on, those who started throwing the stones will not be allowed to go scot-free,” she said.
The Regional Minister said REGSEC would work with the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the destruction are dealt with in accordance with the law.
The cause of the confrontation between the two schools has not yet been established, while investigations by the security agencies continue.
MyJoyOnline
