The Ghana Education Service (GES) has enforced a strict two-year ban on three senior high schools in the Eastern Region following serious incidents of violence during a recent inter-schools Super Zonal sports competition in Koforidua held from the 4th to 6th February, 2026.
The affected schools, Koforidua Senior High Technical School, New Juaben Senior High School, and Nsutam Senior High Technical School are banned from all sporting and co-curricular activities. This decision underscores the GES commitment to maintaining discipline and safety in Ghanaian schools.
GES Imposes Two-Year Ban on Three Eastern Region SHS Over Hooliganism, Gang Rape, and Stabbing at Inter-Schools Sports Event
ges imposes two year ban on three eastern region shs over hooliganism, gang rape, and stabbing at inter schools sports event
Eastern Regional Director of Education Ivy Asantewa Owusu issued the sanctions in an official press release dated 11th February, 2026. The ban prohibits the schools from organizing, participating in, or attending any events, including quizzes, debates, cadet programs, and entertainment activities. Each school faces a fine of GHC 500 and remains responsible for covering costs related to property damage or injuries stemming from the incidents.
“Management treats these incidents with outmost seriousness. In line with the code of conduct of the Ghana Education Service regarding student behavior, all culprits will be taken through due process and, when found guilty, will be dealt with accordingly” the statement noted.
The sanctions stem from reported acts of hooliganism that marred the Super Zonal Sports Competition. Authorities cited violations of Section 2.17 of the GES Code of Conduct on physical and psychological violence, alongside provisions in the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association Code of Discipline, particularly articles addressing disturbances, hooliganism, and corresponding punishments.
GES ban on Eastern Region schools for hooliganism at Super Zonal Sports Competition
Two-Year Ban on Koforidua SHTS, New Juaben SHS, and Nsutam SHTS highlights the severity of the breaches. The GES statement emphasized that students from these schools engaged in unacceptable behavior contradicting established discipline standards. The directive takes immediate effect to deter future occurrences and promote a secure learning environment.
Police have arrested two underage students in connection with the alleged gang rape of a female student from Osino Senior High School during the event. The incident reportedly occurred in a bush area near the competition grounds. A third suspect, identified as a former student from Koforidua Senior High Technical School and believed to be the ringleader, remains at large and is actively being pursued.
In a separate case, another student was arrested for allegedly stabbing a fellow pupil of Koforidua Senior High Technical School approximately 200 meters away from the competition venue while he had gone out to have lunch with a friend. The Ghana Police Service has charged the suspects with conspiracy to commit rape and rape itself. The GES has condemned these acts strongly, reiterating that violence has no place in the education system.
