Key Points
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Violence in Ghanaian schools threatens learning and student safety.
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Stakeholders blame drug abuse, weak discipline, and social media.
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Urgent action is needed to restore peace and stability.
Stakeholders in peacebuilding have raised concern about rising violence in Ghana’s second-cycle schools.
They warned the growing clashes are disrupting learning and putting student safety at risk.
In recent months, violent incidents have occurred in at least five schools. They include Bawku Senior High, Zuarungu Senior High, Gowrie Senior High, Bolgatanga Technical Institute, and Sirigu Integrated Senior High.
The clashes led to property damage, insecurity, and in some cases, temporary school closures.
The issue was at the center of a forum in Bolgatanga organized by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO). The program, supported by MISEREOR, aims to build peace and prevent conflict in the region.
Stakeholders link unrest to discipline, drugs, and social media
Participants offered different views on what drives the unrest. Some pointed to the abolition of corporal punishment, saying it weakened teachers’ authority.
Daniel Amoyea, a teacher and peace commission secretary, argued that without deterrents, many students “are simply not afraid of breaking rules.”
Others linked the problem to drug abuse. Adam Mustapha Sheriff, aide to the Upper East Regional Chief Imam, said the rise in marijuana and tramadol use emboldens students to act violently. He urged security agencies to act against drug dealers.
Conflict resolution expert Ali Anankpieng highlighted the misuse of social media. Platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook, he said, are being used to mobilize fights and spread inflammatory messages.
Urgent call to address violence in Ghanaian schools
Dr. Joseph Bangu, NABOCADO’s executive director, said the rise in violence calls for urgent action.
“We cannot sit unconcerned while indiscipline escalates and threatens the future of our children,” he said.
Stakeholders also expressed concern over weapons circulating among students. Anankpieng called for multi-sectoral action, saying schools, families, security, and community leaders must work together.
The forum agreed that restoring peace and discipline in schools is critical to protecting education and ensuring stability in the Upper East Region.
