By Daniel Bampoe
The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has ordered the immediate and temporary closure of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School at Akropong in the Akuapem North Municipality following a violent confrontation between students of the two institutions that resulted in the destruction of property and damage to school facilities.
The incident reportedly began at about 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, when the two schools were engulfed in clashes.
The circumstances that triggered the confrontation remain unclear, with authorities yet to establish the exact cause of the disturbance.
However, the violence reportedly escalated to the point where some school property was vandalised and portions of the facilities were set on fire, prompting security authorities to intervene and assess the situation.
The decision to temporarily close both institutions was announced by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, after she led members of REGSEC to the affected schools to obtain first-hand information about the extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the unrest.
The closure is intended to help restore calm and create the necessary conditions for investigations into the incident.
She expressed disappointment over the development, particularly because it occurred at a time when the government is pursuing efforts to improve the country’s education system through the provision of infrastructure and teaching and learning materials.
She condemned the violence and vandalism and called for immediate investigations to identify those responsible and ensure that they face the appropriate consequences.
The Regional Minister stressed that repeated disturbances in second-cycle institutions could not be allowed to become a pattern.
She therefore urged students to demonstrate discipline, obedience and commitment to their education rather than engage in conduct capable of destroying school property or disrupting academic activities.
She also cautioned students against vandalism, stressing the importance of protecting facilities provided to support their education.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu Bempah, similarly appealed to the students to reconsider their conduct and focus on building positive futures for themselves.
He urged them to live upright lives and leave behind legacies they could be proud of, rather than become associated with acts of violence and destruction.
DCOP Owusu Bempah further warned that the police would not hesitate to take action against students found to have participated in unacceptable activities.
His warning comes as the security authorities seek to establish responsibility for the disturbance and prevent further escalation.
The violence has also resulted in injuries among students. The Headmaster of Okuapeman Senior High School, Rev. Richard Koranteng Afari, disclosed that six students from his school sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident and were subsequently taken to hospital for medical attention.
Four of the injured students were treated and discharged, while two others remained on admission as of the time of the report.
