Three Eastern Region SHSs barred 2 years from sports, debates after super zonal hooliganism

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has banned three senior high schools in the Eastern Region from all sporting and extracurricular activities for two years over acts of hooliganism during the recent Super Zonal Sports Competition.

The affected schools are Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO) and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NUTECH).

The decision follows violent incidents that occurred before, during and after the regional games held between February 4 and 6.

In a letter dated February 11, and signed by the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Ivy Asantewa Owusu, the GES said the sanction was in line with its Code of Conduct and the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association (ERSCSA) Code of Discipline.

The ban takes effect from February 11, and bars the schools from organising, participating in or spectating sporting activities, quizzes, debates, cadetting and entertainment programmes at the school, zonal and regional levels.

“The students in your school were found engaging in acts of hooliganism which are unacceptable and contradicts to the rule of discipline in GES,” the statement said in part.

The schools have also been fined GH¢500 each.

They will further be required to pay for the cost of any damage or injury to property or individuals, subject to assessment by a committee.

The sanctions come after police launched investigations into an alleged gang rape and a stabbing incident linked to the games.

Three students were arrested in connection with the alleged rape and stabbing, which reportedly occurred at separate locations near the competition grounds.

Preliminary reports indicated that a student of SECTECH was stabbed about 200 metres away from the venue while he had gone out to have lunch.

He was allegedly attacked by students of NJUASCO.

In a separate incident, a female student of Osino Senior High School was allegedly raped in a bush near the venue.

Two suspects are in police custody, while a third suspect, said to be an old student of SECTECH and the alleged ringleader, is on the run.

GES earlier condemned the incidents and assured the public that due process would be followed.