By Gloria Peprah
The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has expressed profound disappointment and unreserved condemnation following acts of violence and hooliganism involving students of Obrachire Senior High School.
In a strongly worded statement, the Committee described the incident as unacceptable and contrary to the values that underpin organized sports in the country.
According to the GOC, such conduct represents a direct violation of the fundamental principles of Olympism — friendship, solidarity, and fair play.
The Committee emphasized that sports are meant to serve as a vehicle for discipline, unity, and national cohesion, not a catalyst for chaos and disorder.
It warned that incidents of indiscipline risk undermining years of effort invested in building a credible and structured school sports system.
The development comes at a crucial time when the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, has established the School Sports Secretariat to professionalize and strengthen grassroots sports.
The initiative is aimed at creating a seamless pathway from inter-school competitions to national representation.
However, the GOC noted that violent outbursts such as the Obrachire incident threaten the stability and security necessary for effective talent identification, athlete development, and institutional growth.
Beyond security concerns, the Committee raised alarm over the potential sponsorship implications of such incidents.
It explained that acts of violence erode corporate confidence and could jeopardize private sector partnerships essential to sustaining inter-school competitions nationwide.
Corporate sponsors invest in sports to promote youth empowerment and community development, but recurring disturbances may lead to hesitation, reduced funding, or withdrawal of support altogether.
While commending the Ghana Police Service and other state authorities for their swift response, the GOC called on the Ghana Education Service and the School Sports Secretariat to intensify efforts to prevent future occurrences.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to reinforce security measures, enhance educational sensitization, and restore confidence among partners supporting Ghana’s school sports ecosystem.
