A brutal attack on a student of the Obrachire Senior High Technical School has prompted the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend all zonal inter-school sporting activities among Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) in the region following violent incidents during recent competitions.

The suspension was formally announced in a statement on Sunday, February 22. The directorate said the decision has been necessitated by genuine reports of clashes and violent behaviour among students during zonal athletics competitions.

In a widely circulated video, some students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS) were captured attacking a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School during the district inter-schools athletics competition.

From the video, we see the Swedru students throwing blocks at the Obrachire students, while others throw heavy punches at him while he tries to find his balance. One student, believed to be a Swedru, rushed in and delivered a forceful kick to his neck, leaving him struggling to stand.

The confrontation reportedly occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19, when tensions between the two schools escalated into physical violence and brawls.

The GES statement expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the incidents had “disrupted the spirit of healthy competition and posed serious threats to the safety and well-being of students, staff, and spectators.”

It reminded school heads that sports activities are meant to encourage discipline, teamwork, mutual respect, and healthy rivalry. “It is therefore regrettable that these noble objectives have been undermined by acts of indiscipline and violence,” the statement added.

To safeguard lives, maintain order, and protect the integrity of school sports, Management has directed the immediate halt of all zonal inter-school sporting events until further notice.

The temporary suspension, GES explained, will allow Management some time to investigate the incident, conduct a review, engage the relevant stakeholders, and develop strategies to prevent future incidents.

Consequently, the regional directorate has ordered all heads of SHSs and SHTSs to temporarily hold on with all planned or scheduled zonal athletics competitions, inform staff, students, and other stakeholders, and ensure strict compliance.

“Please note that this directive takes immediate effect and must be adhered to without exception,” the statement emphasised.

The Directorate assured the public that it remains committed to restoring sporting activities under conditions that guarantee safety, discipline, and the true spirit of healthy competition.

This incident comes barely two-weeks after GES in the Eastern Region slapped a two-year ban on three Senior High Schools over acts of hooliganism.

The schools include the Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUSCO), and Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NSUTECH). Until 2028, these schools will not be allowed to participate in all sports and related co-curricular activities.

This comes after stakeholders' investigations proved that these schools were involved in hooliganism during the just-ended Regional Super Zonal Sports Competition.

In a letter dated February 11, 2026, the Eastern Regional Education Directorate stated the joint expression of regret by the affected schools' sports executives and school authorities following the chaos that happened during the zonal games on February 4 and 6, 2026.

“Koforidua Senior High Technical School (Sectech), New Juaben Senior High School (Njuasco), New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (Nsutech). The Management of Eastern Regional Education Directorate and the Regional 2 Cycle Schools' Sports Executives express their displeasure in the recent incidents before, during and after the Regional Super Zonal Sports (Games) Competition,” parts of the statement said.

It continued that their students, during the regional games, violated some provisions that guide the conduct of students as far as GES laws are concerned.

It said, “in accordance with the Ghana Education Service Code of Conduct (2.17 Physical and Psychological Violence) and the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association (ERSCSA) Code of Discipline: ARTICLE VII (Disturbances/Riots/Hooliganisms) and ARTICLE VIII (Sanctions/Punishments), the students in your school were found engaging in acts of hooliganism which are unacceptable and contradicts to the rule of discipline in GES.”.

This section prohibits any acts of physical assault, intimidation, bullying, or psychological abuse among students, stressing that violence, whether physical (fighting, attacking, causing injury) or psychological (harassment, threats, humiliation), is a serious breach of discipline.

The penalties for violations under Article VII. Sanctions include:

Suspension or banning of schools from sports and extracurricular activities. Withdrawal of privileges such as hosting or participating in competitions. Additional disciplinary measures imposed by GES or the regional sports association. The severity of punishment depends on the gravity of the offence, with repeat or violent incidents attracting harsher sanctions.

In addition, the affected schools have been directed to pay a GHC 500 fine and be charged for any damage caused to any property or individual, or injury that was caused.

GES said, “.......liable to a fine of Five hundred Ghana cedis (GhC500.00). b. surcharged to pay for the cost of any damage/injury to Property or Individual, which shall be determined by a Committee based on the extent of the damage/injury,” urging authorities of the affected schools to caution all their students, both old and new, to avoid further sanctions.

“Please ensure that your students, staff, old students and other supporters adhere to all rules and regulations governing GES and ERSCSA to avoid any further disciplinary actions. Management counts on your cooperation,” GES added.

The ban by the GES comes barely a week after a student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH) was hospitalised and given medical care after a violent attack by some Form Two students of New Juaben Senior High School during a clash at the Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival in Koforidua.

According to reports, the victim, identified as Jerome Appiah, was eating waakye on his way to campus when the Juaben students attacked him with a machete, leaving him with a deep wound to the shoulder and bleeding profusely.

This prompted fears of reprisal attacks and heightened security concerns. Police intervened and quickly ushered Jerome to the Eastern Regional Hospital, where he was receiving treatment and was said to be in stable condition.