Kumasi: Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has urged students to desist from violence, particularly attacks on teachers and the destruction of school property. He said such acts of indiscipline could undermine teaching and learning, derail students' academic progress, and damage the reputation of educational institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Amoakohene made the call when he addressed students of Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) at the launch of the school's 70th-anniversary logo and commemorative cloth in Kumasi. The anniversary, scheduled for 2027, is on the theme: 'Shaping Character, Cultivating Minds and Nurturing Souls.' The launch marked the commencement of a year-long programme of activities leading to the grand anniversary durbar.
Dr Amoakohene emphasized the strong reputation for discipline that Kumasi Academy has built over the years and urged students to uphold the standards instilled by the Baptist missionaries who established the school. He referred to a recent incident at Obuasi Secondary Technical School, where the headmaster was reportedly attacked and school property vandalised, describing such conduct as unacceptable.
The Regional Minister explained that discipline imposed by teachers should not be interpreted as hatred but as part of the structured process of preparing young people to become responsible and productive citizens. He warned that attacks on teachers and the destruction of school property ultimately harm students by creating an unsafe and unstable environment for learning.
Mr. Samuel Gato, the Headmaster of the school, highlighted the significance of the 70th anniversary as a milestone requiring the collective efforts of past and present students, alumni, staff, and other stakeholders. The anniversary activities include a health walk, exhibition, games, speech and prize-giving ceremony, entertainment, and thanksgiving services. Alumni associations, including branches in the United States and the United Kingdom, are mobilising resources to support critical infrastructure development on campus, including expanding dormitory blocks and upgrading dining hall facilities.
Mr. Gato appealed for collaboration among students, alumni, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful organisation of the anniversary celebration. The event was attended by notable figures such as Nana Boakye Yam Ababio II, Nkwantakesehene; Mr. Amo Kamel, the Municipal Chief Executive for Asokwa; Mr. Ben Abdullah Alhassan, the Municipal Chief Executive for Asokore-Mampong; heads of institutions, members of the clergy, staff, and students.