In just two months, five violent clashes have erupted in Senior High Schools across Ghana, raising serious concerns about growing indiscipline and security on school campuses.
Between January and February 2025, these incidents have seen students engaging in brutal confrontations, some armed with weapons, leading to injuries, destruction of properties, and even arrests.
While student conflicts are not new, the frequency and intensity of these recent clashes have been alarming.
The latest incident at the Sokode Senior High Technical School on February 23, 2025, resulted in the temporary closure of the school.
Here is a closer look at the five violent clashes recorded so far in 2025, outlining the timelines, causes, and consequences.
Kinbu Secondary Technical and Accra Technical Centre
The first major clash of the year occurred on January 28, 2025, when students of Accra Technical Centre and Kinbu Secondary Technical School engaged in a heated altercation.
A viral video showed students wielding clubs as they chased each other through the streets, ignoring calls for calm.
Moments later, Kinbu students regrouped and launched a reprisal attack, this time, also armed. While no injuries were reported, the exact cause of the fight remains unclear. The incident heightened concerns about the safety of students in the capital.
Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI)and Kumasi Anglican Senior High School
Barely two days later, on January 30, 2025, another violent confrontation broke out in Kumasi between students of Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) and Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (KASS).
The clash reportedly started when KTI students, returning from an inter-school competition, were attacked by KASS students allegedly armed with stones and machetes.
In retaliation, KTI students fought back, hurling stones and damaging school properties, private cars belonging to teachers, and even their own school bus.
The incident left one person injured and resulted in extensive damages to school facilities and vehicles.
Salaga Senior High School
The most violent school clash so far took place on February 1, 2025 at Salaga Senior High School in the Savannah Region.
A minor disagreement between two day students during an entertainment event quickly escalated into a full-scale battle between rival groups from Kpembe and Salaga townships.
The violent confrontation left one student with multiple stab wounds.
During a police intervention, officers recovered a locally-manufactured pistol and ammunition from the scene.
By February 4, 2025, security forces had arrested 20 students in connection with the incident, further underscoring the severity of the crisis.
Three students were subsequently convicted to a non-custodial sentence of 100 penalty units each, which is equivalent to GH¢1,200 or, in default, serve a 6-month imprisonment.
One of the convicts was also asked to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
Islamic Senior High School (ISSEC)
On February 14, 2025, a violent clash erupted in Kumasi between students of Islamic Senior High School (ISSEC) and local youth near the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Both groups hurled stones and other objects at each other, causing injuries and damaging several vehicles.
Viral videos showed bystanders running for safety as chaos unfolded. A driver suffered a severe head injury when his vehicle’s windows were shattered.
The incident was reportedly linked to an inter-school competition, once again bringing attention to the issue of student violence during sporting events.
Sokode Senior High School
The latest and most recent incident occurred on February 23, 2025, at Sokode Senior High Technical School in the Volta Region leading to the school’s temporary closure.
The violence began when some students, who had gone into the town to buy food, were reportedly attacked.
In response, they mobilized their peers for a retaliatory attack.
However, before they could act, they were ambushed by local youth and the Asafo Company.
Several students and community members sustained injuries, and a staff member’s vehicle was also vandalised.
In response, the Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC) ordered the school’s closure to prevent further escalation.
The alarming frequency of these violent clashes in just two months has ignited conversations about an urgent need for intervention.
If this trend continues, it could have long-term consequences for education, student safety, and overall discipline in Senior High Schools.
Authorities, school administrators, and parents have been urged to take immediate steps to address this growing issue.
Strengthening school security, enforcing discipline, and promoting conflict resolution programs among students could help curb these violent outbreaks before they spiral out of control.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
