A student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH) is receiving 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 the 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 has prompted fears of reprisal attacks and heightened security concerns. Police intervened and quickly ushered Jerome to the Eastern Regional Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment and is said to be in stable condition.

To prevent an escalation, the Headmaster of Koforidua SECTECH, Emmanuel Frimpong Benjabeng, joined by other teachers, rushed to the Koforidua Youth Resource Centre, where the inter-schools sports festival was being held.

However, while the headmaster was in an engagement with the New Juaben South Municipal Education Director, Mustapha Haruna Appiah, he was informed that further disturbances had broken out, forcing him to leave the meeting abruptly.

Later, it emerged that a teacher of SECTECH, Henry Kudiabor, had also sustained a head injury after being struck by a flying stone during clashes involving students of Nsutam Senior High Technical School, who were allegedly pelting stones.

The New Juaben South Municipal Education Director, Mustapha Haruna Appiah, has expressed concern over the recurring violence and has called on the police and event organisers to investigate the incident thoroughly and tighten security to prevent further attacks.

This adds to a worrying trend of rising indiscipline and violent confrontations among students in Ghanaian schools, particularly second-cycle schools nationwide.

Last year was marked by at least five major violent incidents recorded between January and July 2025; from Kinbu’s teacher assault to Nalerigu’s fatal shootings.

Students stabbed at T.I Ahmadiyah by colleague

A fisticuff between two final-year students of Wa T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (Wa Amass) left one hospitalised and another in a critical condition, according to reports.

It was reported that Iddrisu Ibrahim, also known as Lincoln, an agricultural science student, and his colleague Hafis, who is also known as Baayaawa, a general arts student, engaged in an argument over a video that was recorded.

It is said that Lincoln filmed Hafis without his consent, an action that left the latter displeased. He requested Lincoln to delete the said video, but Lincoln reportedly refused. When matters escalated, Hafis pulled out a knife and stabbed his colleague in the stomach and ribs.

Sources say a group of students mobilised to attack Hafis when he sought to escape. The intervention of the Police averted further casualties. According to reports, Hafis has been apprehended and is aiding investigations into the incident.

Lincoln is said to be admitted to the Wa Regional Hospital. The school authorities are yet to release an official statement on the matter.

Fatal stabbing at Kinbu SHS

A student of Kinbu Senior High School (SHS)was arrested for stabbing another student to death on July 31.

Addib Alhassan, a 15-year-old first-year student, was fatally stabbed during an altercation allegedly sparked by a heated argument. The exact cause of the confrontation remains unclear. After sustaining injuries, Alhassan was initially rushed to the Adabraka Polyclinic and later transferred to the Ridge Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. He was later pronounced dead.

More cases of violence, attacks in SHS

Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) and Kumasi Anglican Senior High School clashed after returning from an inter-school competition. One student sustained severe injuries as a result of the event; school properties and private cars belonging to teachers were also damaged.

Salaga Senior High School in the Savannah Region observed the most violent clashes. The confrontation left a student with multiple stab wounds, with the police retrieving a locally-produced pistol and ammunition from the scene. Students of Islamic Senior High School (ISSEC) also faced off with local youth, causing injuries and damage to multiple vehicles.

Months ago, a 16-year-old form two student of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) was arrested by the Tafo Pankrono Divisional Police Command for illegally possessing a locally manufactured firearm.

The police arrested the suspect following a routine dormitory search by school authorities on Wednesday, May 14. According to the accused, the weapon belonged to his stepfather, Mr Daniel Owusu Baafi, who has been apprehended.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, Head of Public Affairs for the Ashanti Regional Police Command, on Sunday, May 18. Following their arrest, both individuals were granted bail and are to report to the police on Monday, May 19, as investigations continue.

These trends forced a comprehensive review of security arrangements in schools nationwide to be ordered by the Ministry of Education. The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, who was addressing the media on Thursday, August 7, 2025, fumed about the chaos in SHSs, describing them as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

“We must work more closely with our security agencies and law enforcement to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for learning. Even our concept of a ‘watchman’ in educational institutions needs to be revisited.

“Do we just pick anyone and label them school security? With no training in policing or even basic security practices?. We need to review this so we can foster a safer school environment for both students and teachers,” he added.

The Ministry of Education granted school heads at Senior High Schools across the country the mandate to conduct searches on students. This was revealed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Apaak, on Saturday, May 24.

Speaking to Citi News, Clement Apaak noted that the action is a part of the government's series of strategies to eradicate indiscipline in schools, specifically SHSs. The new development was ruled out under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.