Tragedy has struck the Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region, where three students have been killed in the crossfire of a renewed ethnic conflict in the Nkwanta township.
The violent clashes, which erupted on Thursday, June 26, and continued into Friday, June 27, claimed the lives of two female day students—General Arts students in Forms Two and Three—who were heading home after school on Thursday. A third victim, a male Form Three Business student, was struck by a stray bullet on Friday.
The students, caught in the chaos of a long-standing conflict that flared up once again, were unintended victims of gunfire that ripped through the community.
In response to the deadly situation, the Ghana Education Service (GES), in consultation with the Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, has ordered the immediate and temporary closure of Nkwanta SHS. The GES has also arranged for police escorts to ensure the safe evacuation of all students to their homes.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Education, Sector Minister Haruna Iddrisu expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Nkwanta SHS community.
"The Ministry of Education is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of lives of two female day students through a shooting incident on Thursday 26th June, 2025, and a male student also hit by a stray bullet on Friday, 27th June, 2025.
The Ministry commiserates with all students, their families, staff of Nkwanta SHS and everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence within the community," the statement said.
Minister Iddrisu also praised the GES for taking swift action to protect students and staff, calling the school’s temporary closure and security arrangements a “swift but necessary decision.”
The statement added that the Minister had directed GES management to maintain a close watch on the situation and to prioritise the safety of all students, staff, and school property.
"We look forward to a rapid and peaceful resolution to the conflict to enable students return to a safe learning environment," the statement concluded.
As tensions continue to simmer in the area, the fate of many students remains uncertain. Authorities are urging calm while security agencies work to restore order and prevent further loss of life.
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