Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic deaths of three students of Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS) in the Oti Region, casualties of a renewed wave of ethnic violence in the area.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of 3 students through a shooting incident on Thursday, 26th June and a stray bullet on Friday, 27th June at Nkwanta SHS as a result of the resurgence of a tribal conflict. We commiserate with the affected families and call for peace,” he stated in a post shared on Twitter.
His remarks follow the heartbreaking loss of two female students and one male student who were caught in the line of fire as tensions flared once again in the troubled Nkwanta township.
The two girls, both day students in Forms Two and Three studying General Arts, were reportedly on their way home after school on Thursday when they were fatally struck. On Friday, a third student—a Form Three Business student—was hit by a stray bullet, adding to the toll.
The Ghana Education Service (GES), in response to the situation and in consultation with the Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, has temporarily closed down the school.
Further, the GES has arranged for police escorts to safely transport students to their homes, prioritizing their security amidst the ongoing unrest.
