Accra: The Ghana Education Service (GES) has condemned acts of violence that occurred during the ongoing inter-schools sports competition in the Central Region, expressing concern over the level of aggression displayed by some students. Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of the GES, said such conduct undermined the core values of discipline, sportsmanship and mutual respect that school competitions were meant to promote.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Davis warned that any student found to have engaged in assault would face appropriate sanctions in accordance with Ghana's laws and GES regulations. A statement signed by Mr Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at the GES, stated that the Director-General endorsed the Central Regional Director's decision to suspend all sporting activities pending thorough investigations into the incidents.
The decision followed a crisis management meeting held on Monday, February 23, in response to reported cases of violence and assault during the competitions in some districts of the region. Professor Davis noted that football and traditional games had become increasingly lucrative and emphasised the need to properly guide and support talented students to build careers in sports.
He reiterated that school games remained important platforms for discovering and nurturing talent and for promoting unity among schools. Dr Mrs Juliette Dufie Otami, Central Regional Director of Education, and her team presented eyewitness accounts of the incidents, outlining what transpired, the causes, immediate actions taken, and measures proposed to strengthen safety and security at future events.
Management also confirmed that no death had been recorded, contrary to reports circulated in sections of the media. The student who had been wrongly reported dead was present at the meeting. Students who were hospitalised have since been discharged and are responding well to treatment.
The statement added that suspects involved in the assaults had been arrested and were assisting the police with investigations. Among those present at the meeting was Professor George K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, together with regional and district education directors, heads of the affected schools, sports coordinators, public relations officers, some affected students and their parents.
The Central Regional delegation included the Regional Director of Education, Dr Mrs Juliette Dufie Otami, the Agona West Municipal Director of Education, Mr Bismark Mfaafo Offei, Cape Coast Metro Director of Education, Mr Thomas Kwofie, Abura Asebu Kwamankesse District Director of Education, and Madam Mary Cudjoe, Ag Director of Education for Awutu Senya District.