GES Bans Three Eastern Region Schools Over Violence at Inter-School Sports Event

The Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Eastern Region has imposed a two-year ban on Koforidua Senior High Technical School, New Juaben Senior High School, and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School from all sporting and co-curricular activities following reported incidents of rape and stabbing during a recent inter-school competition.

The sanctions, announced by Eastern Regional Director of Education Ivy Asantewa Owusu in a press release, prohibit the affected schools from organising, participating in, or attending events such as quizzes, debates, cadet programmes and entertainment activities.

Each school has also been fined GH¢500 and will bear any costs arising from property damage or injuries linked to the disturbances.

According to the statement, the decision aligns with Section 2.17 of the GES Code of Conduct on physical and psychological violence, as well as provisions under the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association Code of Discipline, including Article VII on disturbances and hooliganism and Article VIII on sanctions and punishments.

“The schools were found to have students involved in acts of hooliganism, which violate GES discipline standards,” the statement said.

The disciplinary measures follow serious security breaches during the sports event in Koforidua, where two underage students were arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a student. The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically rape, and the act of rape itself. A third suspect, believed to be a former student, is currently at large.

In a separate incident linked to the same event, another student was arrested for allegedly stabbing a fellow student near the sports stadium.

The Ghana Education Service said the sanctions are intended to reinforce discipline and ensure the safety of students during school-sponsored events.

Authorities have indicated that investigations into the incidents are ongoing, while law enforcement agencies continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect.