The Sokode Senior High Technical School in Sokode-Etoe, near Ho, has been temporarily closed following violent clashes between students and youth from the neighboring Sokode-Gbogame community on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
The decision to shut down the school was made to ensure the safety of students and staff and to allow for thorough investigations into the incident, according to the Volta Regional Director of Education, Francis Agbemadi.
Following the violent confrontation, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), engaged security forces, community elders, and other stakeholders in efforts to de-escalate tensions. Military personnel have since been deployed to maintain order and prevent further clashes.
There have been contradictory accounts regarding the cause of the unrest.
- Community leaders allege that students initiated an unprovoked attack on the townspeople, causing injuries and property damage. They further claimed that the situation was aggravated by the involvement of local militias, prompting calls for a detailed investigation.
- School authorities, however, provide a different version, attributing the unrest to claims that a food vendor had been selling meals laced with cannabis. This allegedly led students to leave campus at night to purchase the substance.
- According to reports, one student was ambushed and assaulted by locals, triggering a retaliatory attack by 42 students. The violence escalated at a local drinking spot, resulting in injuries on both sides.
A preliminary report suggests that a joint investigative team comprising police officers, community representatives, and GES officials should be formed to uncover the root cause of the incident.
“The situation remains under investigation, with further updates to follow,” Agbemadi stated, assuring the public that efforts are being made to restore peace and security in the area.
