By: Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has banned Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SHTS), New Juaben Senior High School (SHS), and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (SHTS), all in the Eastern Region, for two years from organising, participating in, or spectating at any sporting and co-curricular activities, including quizzes, debates, cadet programmes, and entertainment events.
In addition to the ban, each school has been fined GHC 500.00 and will be surcharged for any costs arising from property damage or injuries sustained by individuals.
The sanctions were announced in a press release issued by the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Madam Ivy Asantewa Owusu, following alleged incidents of gang rape and stabbing during the just-ended inter-school sports competition in the regional capital, Koforidua.
The statement explained that the decision was taken in line with Section 2.17 of the GES Code of Conduct on physical and psychological violence, as well as the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association Code of Discipline.
The statement further cited Article VII, which addresses disturbances, riots, and hooliganism, and Article VIII on sanctions and punishment.
It stated that students from the affected schools were found to have engaged in acts of hooliganism that are unacceptable and contrary to the discipline standards of the GES.
Meanwhile, two underage students have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a student in a bush during the inter-school sports event and are currently facing prosecution.
It added that a third suspect, believed to be an old student, is on the run.
Police have charged the suspects with conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit, rape, and rape.
In a separate incident, another student was arrested for allegedly stabbing a fellow student miles away from the sports stadium.
