Students of Hark Mount Sinai Senior High School and Okuapeman Senior High School in Akuapem North Municipality in Eastern region have been ordered to vacate their campuses following violent clashes that resulted in the burning and destruction of properties and injuries to students and a police officer.
The injured officer, attached to the Akropong District Police command as Station officer, was reportedly injured during the disturbances as security personnel moved in to restore order.
The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, visited the two schools on Wednesday to assess the situation and address the students.
The delegation included the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu Bempah, and the National Security Regional Liaison Officer, Francis Annor Dompreh, as well as education and other security officials.
The students were directed to vacate the schools by Wednesday afternoon as investigations into the violence continue.
“We Are Building a Nation, Not Destroying One” – Regional Minister
Addressing the students, Madam Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey described the incident as unfortunate and said the behaviour of the students was contrary to government’s expectation of young people being prepared for responsible leadership.
“This is a very sad note. This is not what we are looking for from you,” she said.
“Our expectation as government is that we are growing you up for the future so that one day, when we are not in, we’ll get a president among you, a minister among you, a teacher among you, a policeman among you [and] a fire service person among you.”
The Regional Minister expressed concern over the exchange of stones and attacks that characterised the clashes, stressing that students should have allowed school authorities and the police to handle the situation.
She said government was investing in educational infrastructure to improve conditions in schools and support the transition from the double-track system to a single-track system.
“Now that government is making sure we build the infrastructure that will take care of you so that the double track stops and we have single track, this is what you have decided to do,” she stated.
“We are building a nation; we are not destroying a nation. We are resetting our schools and resetting you students too.”
Madam Awatey announced that all students had been directed to leave the campuses and warned that those found responsible for the violence would not escape punishment.
“Investigations are going on. Those who started throwing the stones here, both here and Okuapeman, we are not going to allow you to go scot-free,” she warned.
She directed the students to return peacefully to their homes immediately after being released by school authorities.
The Minister also warned students against wearing their school uniforms and engaging in any disturbances after leaving the campuses.
“We sympathise with the whole school over the burning. Government will come and do it, but when you destroy it, we are not going to allow you to go scot-free,” she said.
She urged the students to take their academic work seriously and focus on building a better future.
Police Commander Vows to Prosecute Ringleaders
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu Bempah, also issued a stern warning to students involved in the disturbances.
He said maintaining discipline was the responsibility of every student, particularly because the large student population made it difficult for a few members of staff to control everyone when students deliberately chose to be unruly.
“If you decide to be unruly, your headmaster and the staff cannot take care of you. They cannot handle the situation,” he said.
DCOP Owusu Bempah warned students against taking the law into their own hands during mob action.
“We cannot arrest the entire school, but we know the ringleaders. We will look for the ringleaders, and it’s a promise from me: we will prosecute you,” he stated.
He further warned that students who refused to comply with the directive to vacate the schools, or those who regrouped with persons outside the schools to cause further disturbances, would face the law.
The Police Commander also condemned attacks on police officers, describing the pelting of security personnel with stones as a criminal offence.
“Attack on a policeman is a criminal offence,” he stressed.
DCOP Owusu Bempah urged the students to channel their rivalry into positive competition, particularly in academics and sports.
“The bragging rights should be about which school is best in academics, which school is best in sports, which school is best in producing prominent people in society,” he said.
“The bragging rights should not be which school can throw the most stones or which school is the most violent.”
He warned that the clashes must not be repeated and urged students to resist the influence of former students and other individuals who may be encouraging them to engage in violence.
“This should be the last time that you repeat this,” he cautioned, adding that violations of the law would attract the appropriate punishment.
Education Director Orders Students Home
The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr Mrs Ivy Owusu Asantewaa, also directed all students to leave the campuses peacefully.
She reminded them that education was not only about academic achievement but also about developing good character and becoming responsible members of society.
“Do your academic work, be morally upright and make sure you fit into society,” she advised.
She warned students against loitering around the schools after being directed to vacate.
“Everybody should leave and go home. Don’t be hovering around. The policemen are still on the grounds. Anyone who tries to misbehave, they will arrest you,” she said.
“Take your baggage and go home peacefully. We hope you will go and behave well at home.”
The temporary closure is expected to allow security agencies and education authorities to restore calm and conduct investigations into the violent clashes.
REGSEC has indicated that persons identified as having played leading roles in the disturbances, including the destruction and burning of properties and attacks on security personnel, could face legal action.
The Education authorities have appealed to parents and guardians to receive the students and support efforts to ensure that the violence does not recur.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
