Education Ministry condemns shooting incident at Yendi primary school

Ministry of Education has condemned a shooting incident at Zohe Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary School in Yendi in the Northern Region.

In a statement issued by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education on July 9, the ministry described the incident as disturbing and called for swift investigations.

According to preliminary reports cited by the ministry, two armed men stormed the school premises and discharged firearms indiscriminately, causing panic among pupils and staff. The school's headmaster was also allegedly assaulted and sustained injuries during the incident.

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Police Service to give the matter immediate attention and investigate the incident.

The ministry stated that schools are dedicated spaces for teaching, learning and the holistic development of children, adding that acts of violence, intimidation and the use of firearms on school premises are unacceptable and pose a threat to the safety of learners, teachers and the wider educational community.

It also called on the public to desist from encroaching on school premises.

The ministry expressed solidarity with the affected pupils, staff and the injured headmaster, and wished him a speedy recovery.

It assured parents, guardians and the public that it would continue working closely with the security agencies to ensure schools remain safe and secure environments for teaching and learning.

The ministry further appealed to anyone with information that could assist investigations to cooperate with the Ghana Police Service.