Two Akropong senior high schools closed after clashes leave six injured
The Eastern Regional Security Council has closed Okuapemman and Mount Sinai senior high schools after overnight violence left six students injured and property burnt. Police are investigating the clashes, whose cause remains unknown.
Two senior high schools at Akropong in the Eastern Region have been closed following violent student clashes that left six people injured and caused damage to property.
The Eastern Regional Security Council ordered the closure of Okuapemman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School after assessing the destruction caused during the violence on Wednesday.
The clashes reportedly occurred at about 2am, but officials have not established what triggered them.
Six Okuapemman SHS students sustained injuries during the incident, according to the school’s headmaster, Rev Richard Koranteng Afari.
Four were treated and discharged, while the remaining two were still receiving hospital care as of Wednesday evening. Details about the nature or severity of their injuries were not provided.
Property was also destroyed through burning during the unrest. The material supplied does not identify the structures or items damaged, estimate the cost of the destruction or establish who started the fires.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey announced the closure after leading a delegation from the Regional Security Council to inspect the affected schools.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident, Eastern Regional Police Commander DCOP Joseph Owusu Bempah said.
No arrests have been announced, and authorities have not publicly identified those suspected of involvement.
It is also unclear whether the clashes occurred inside one of the schools, between students on the two campuses or at another location in Akropong.
Authorities have not announced how long the schools will remain closed or what arrangements will be made for students who must leave their campuses.
The shutdown is likely to disrupt academic activities at both institutions until security officials determine that it is safe for students and staff to return.
Further details are expected after police establish the sequence of events, the cause of the confrontation and the identities of those responsible for the violence and destruction.