The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, has disclosed that more than 10 students have been detained in connection with the clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
According to DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, some of the students fled their schools when the police arrived.
He warned that their absence would not prevent the police from arresting them.
DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah revealed that an investigation uncovered that some teachers may have encouraged students to attack their counterparts.
He stated, “We have apprehended them. And there are more”.
DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah disclosed that the police are compiling a comprehensive list of all persons involved in the violence.
“We have the names of the teachers. They have nowhere to go. At the appropriate time, we will arrest all of them, and their names will be published,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned.
The development follows the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) closing down the Okuapeman Senior High School and the Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality.
The development follows a violent clash between students of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Eastern Region has resulted in significant destruction of school property on both sides.
It has been alleged that the clash stemmed from a misunderstanding over tablets distributed to students by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
However, it is unclear what triggered the attacks, but the incident occurred at about 2 am on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Six students of Okuapeman SHS (OKUASS) were hospitalised after sustaining injuries.
According to the Okuapeman SHS headmaster, 4 of the students who were rushed to the hospital after the incident have been treated and discharged, with the remaining two still on admission.
The information gathered disclosed that the Visual Arts studio, the teachers office and 7 other classrooms at the Okuapeman SHS have all been burnt and also exams papers and certificates.
In Mount Sinai Senior High School, the storeroom and boys’ washroom have been burnt.
According to reports, REGSEC, after inspecting the extent of damages at both schools, subsequently directed the closure of both schools.
Students of Mount Sinai have been ordered to leave campus before 1 pm on Wednesday, September 2, while students of Okuapeman SHS leave on the morning of Thursday, September 3.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, addressing students, described the incident as unfortunate.
She highlighted that the students’ conduct fell far below government’s expectations of young people being trained to become responsible.
The Minister stated, “We are building a nation, not destroying one. It is a very sad note. This is not what we are looking for from you”.
“Our expectation as government is that we are growing you up for the future, so that one day, when we are not in, we’ll get a President among you, a minister among you, a teacher among you, a policeman among you [and] a fire service person among you.”
“Now that government is making sure we build the infrastructure that will take care of you so that the double track stops and we have single track, this is what you have decided to do,” she stated.
“We are building a nation; we are not destroying a nation. We are resetting our schools and resetting you students too.”
“Investigations are going on. Those who started throwing the stones here, both here and Okuapeman, we are not going to allow you to go scot-free,” she warned.
She further advised students to return peacefully to their respective homes immediately after being released by school authorities.
@ghnow_ REGSEC closes Okuapeman, Mount Sinai SHSs after violent reprisal attacks #GHnow #fyp ♬ suara asli – milenia – 🅄🅻🄸🅽🄽🆄🄷🅰
@ghnow_ Students of Mount Sinai SHS and Okuapeman School have clashed violently, with fires reportedly destroying facilities at both schools. Six Okuapeman students were injured, while several classrooms and other facilities were damaged. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – jack
