Chaos and Destruction: Violent Student Riots and Fire Blaze Force Immediate Shutdown of Okuapeman and Mount Sinai High Schools

By Emmanuel Nii Abordai Amoo

A violent midnight clash between students of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality has forced the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to order the immediate, temporary closure of both institutions today, following widespread destruction and arson across both campuses.

The violent confrontation, which erupted around 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, has left six students hospitalized and critical academic infrastructure in ashes. Local security forces have deployed to the area to restore calm while investigations into what triggered the reprisal attacks remain underway.

Disaster on Campus

For school management and community members in Akropong, the aftermath of the late-night brawl was a devastating sight. Rampaging students set fire to multiple facilities, destroying vital educational materials and personal academic records accumulated over years.

At Okuapeman SHS, six students were injured and rushed to the hospital. The headmaster confirmed that four have been treated and discharged, while two remain on admission. The fire destroyed the school’s Visual Arts studio, a teachers’ office, and seven classrooms, consuming upcoming examination papers and stored student certificates. Meanwhile, at Mount Sinai SHS, rioters set fire to the school storeroom and the boys’ washroom block.

Unchecked Indiscipline Attacking Law Enforcement?

Beyond the physical destruction on both campuses, regional security officials expressed deep alarm over the breakdown of discipline, pointing to direct physical attacks on law enforcement personnel who arrived at the scene.

Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, expressed serious concern over reports that responding police officers were pelted with stones by rioting students. He assured both school communities that the police will fully investigate the assault, warning that perpetrators found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted without exception.

Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr. Mrs. Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and stressed that the Ghana Education Service (GES) will not shield any student involved. Addressing the student body, she cautioned that fighting requires multiple willing parties and urged students to maintain moral uprightness and discipline while allowing state authorities to resolve the matter.

Action Plan Demanded by Regional Authorities

Expressing deep disappointment over the setback at a time when the government is working to retool senior high schools nationwide, Eastern Regional Minister and REGSEC Chairperson, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, emphasized that national development requires resetting student attitudes rather than destroying public property.

To prevent further reprisal attacks and allow security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, REGSEC directed Mount Sinai SHS students to vacate campus by 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, while Okuapeman SHS students are scheduled to leave on Thursday morning, September 3, with authorities warning that those who initiated the stone-throwing and arson will face the full rigor of the law.