Deputy Minister of Education mourns

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of three students from Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS) in the Oti Region, who lost their lives due to renewed ethnic violence in the area.

In a statement shared on Twitter, Dr. Apaak said:

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of 3 students through a shooting incident on Thursday, 26th June and a stray bullet on Friday, 27th June at Nkwanta SHS as a result of the resurgence of a tribal conflict. We commiserate with the affected families and call for peace.”

The heartbreaking incident claimed the lives of two female students and one male student. The two girls, who were both day students in Forms Two and Three studying General Arts, were reportedly on their way home from school on Thursday when they were fatally hit by gunfire. The following day, a male Form Three Business student was struck by a stray bullet, bringing the death toll to three.

This recent flare-up in ethnic tensions has once again plunged the Nkwanta township into a state of fear and mourning. As a result, the Ghana Education Service (GES), in collaboration with the Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, has decided to temporarily shut down Nkwanta SHS to safeguard students and staff.

In addition, GES has arranged for police escorts to help safely transport students to their various homes. This decision, according to education officials, is aimed at protecting students’ lives while the security situation in the area is being monitored and assessed.

The Education Ministry and GES have urged all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and community members, to prioritize peace and work together to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

The violence in Nkwanta is part of a broader ethnic conflict that has periodically disrupted life in the area, and authorities are now under renewed pressure to find a lasting resolution to the unrest.