The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has issued a strong warning that all students found culpable in the violent clash at Zuarungu Senior High School will face strict disciplinary actions.
The Minister’s remarks follow a violent altercation between Frafra and Kusasi students on Sunday, July 20, allegedly triggered by the theft of a mobile phone.
The situation escalated into a full-scale brawl, during which parts of the school, including a canteen and a joint outside the school’s perimeter wall, were set ablaze.
In response, the Minister ordered the immediate closure of the school to avert further violence and possible reprisal attacks. Students from Bawku were escorted home under tight military and police protection.
In an interview with Adom News, Akamugri Atanga described the incident as unfortunate and vowed that no student involved would escape punishment.
“Any student involved in this act of violence will not be allowed to go unpunished. The disciplinary committee will take the necessary steps to ensure those involved face the full consequences of their actions,” he said.
He emphasized that both the student who allegedly stole the phone and the one who brought it to campus had breached school rules and would be sanctioned accordingly.
“The student who brought the phone to school was wrong. The one who stole it was also wrong. They will all face the consequences,” he added.
The Minister revealed that many of the students involved were in Form Three and had fled into the community before authorities could make arrests. He warned parents against shielding their wards.
“If investigations prove that some of these students have committed crimes, the police will take over. I am urging parents not to hide their children but allow them to face the necessary authorities,” he urged.
Akamugri Atanga said the situation worsened when some male students reportedly issued threats to female students, causing many girls to pack out of fear. This prompted his decision to arrange buses and provide military escorts to transport the students home safely.
“Some girls were threatened with attacks. Once I was informed, we organized transportation with military support to ensure their safe departure,” he explained.
Security officers have since been stationed on campus to maintain order and prevent further disturbances. The Minister assured that efforts were ongoing to restore calm and reopen the school.
“We are working to ensure the school resumes operations soon so that students can return to their studies in a peaceful environment,” he said.
He concluded by cautioning parents against giving mobile phones to their children, stressing that such actions often lead to problems.
“This is not the first time we are experiencing such incidents. A similar situation occurred in another school. I’m appealing to parents to stop giving mobile phones to their wards. It’s against school rules and often leads to such avoidable problems,” he cautioned.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and authorities say security measures have been heightened to prevent a recurrence.
Source: Jagri Boaz Binyinjom
