The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, says plans are underway to construct a wall between Okuapeman Senior High School (SHS) and Mount Sinai Senior High School to prevent students from moving between the two schools and reduce the risk of future clashes.
According to her, the two schools share a common boundary, which makes it easy for students to move from one institution to the other.
She said the Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, is working on measures to address the situation before students return to school.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Madam Awatey said the government would provide the necessary resources to complete the project.
“Apart from the common boundary they share, we will build a wall between them to prevent walk-ins and other things. So, we are planning on how to do it before the school resumes,” she said.
“With the help of God and the government, we have the financial capacity to put up the structures before the students resume again,” she added.
The minister also disclosed that security agencies have made some arrests in connection with the clashes, although she could not confirm the exact number.
“We have made some arrests, but I’m not sure of the number of arrests the Regional Commander has made, and investigations are still ongoing,” she said.
Madam Awatey said the incident was unusual and that it was the first time she had heard of such a situation involving students since becoming Eastern Regional Minister.
“This is the first time I have heard something like that from the students since I became the minister,” she said.
She explained that the outcome of the ongoing investigations would help establish what triggered the confrontation and determine what exactly happened.
“So, after the investigations, we will see what really happened,” she added.
On security, the minister said she had instructed the police to maintain a presence at the schools even during the vacation period.
She said she visited the area on Wednesday with the divisional commanders, the Regional Commander and officials from the Ghana National Fire Service to assess the situation.
“Leaving there yesterday, Wednesday, I went there with the divisional commanders, Regional Commander and the Fire Service, and I gave orders that the police should take care of their security until the school is finally back,” she said.
She added that security personnel would remain at the schools throughout the vacation and continue monitoring the situation when students return.
The minister further said discussions would be held with the relevant assemblies on the rehabilitation of school facilities affected by the fire.
“We will speak to the assembly to see how the school buildings where the fire has affected can be repaired,” she said.
Okuapeman SHS and Mount Sinai SHS were affected by violent clashes between students, resulting in injuries and damage to school property.
Six Okuapeman SHS students were injured, while classrooms, offices, and a Visual Arts studio were among facilities affected during the disturbances.
The exact circumstances that triggered the confrontation remain unclear as security agencies continue investigations into the incident.
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Source: Adomonline
