GES Orders Closure of Nkwanta SHS Following Violent Student Protest and Security Concerns.

Nkwanta SHS closed down after tribal conflict led to killing of student.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ordered the urgent closure of Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region after tribal tensions in the area erupted into violence, resulting in the tragic death of a student and injuries to two others. 

The closure follows high-level consultations between education authorities, security officials, and regional leadership in response to the growing threat to lives on campus.

The situation reached a breaking point when two female students were shot while on their way to school on Thursday, June 26. A day later, a male student was struck by a stray bullet inside his classroom during mock examinations and lost his life. These incidents have shocked the education community and raised alarm over the safety of schools located within conflict-prone areas.

Following an emergency assessment of the situation, the Acting Regional Director of Education issued a directive for the school to be shut down immediately. The memo, dated June 27, noted that the decision was necessary to prevent further casualties and allow authorities to restore order. In the interim, arrangements have been made to provide police escorts for students returning home, as a protective measure.

The impact of the unrest goes beyond Nkwanta SHS. Over 40 schools in the municipality have already suspended operations due to the volatile environment, leaving thousands of students and hundreds of teachers in uncertainty. 

The regional directorate has formally requested additional support from the GES headquarters to manage the crisis and ensure the safety of all affected learners and staff.

This urgent closure serves as a reminder of the fragile link between security and access to education. Until peace is restored, the affected schools remain at risk, and the academic progress of students hangs in the balance. 

The GES has made it clear that no academic programme can continue where lives are under threat. The priority now is to safeguard every student and teacher, while efforts continue to stabilise the region and bring a lasting solution to the conflict.