GES holds crisis meeting over inter-school sports violence

The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ernest Kofi Davis, has convened an emergency management meeting to address incidents of violence and assault recorded during ongoing inter-school sports competitions in parts of the Central Region.

The crisis meeting, held on Monday, February 23, 2026, brought together regional and district education authorities, heads of affected senior high schools, sports coordinators, students and parents to review the disturbing developments that disrupted several sporting fixtures.

Officials from the Central Regional Directorate presented eyewitness accounts detailing how tensions escalated into physical confrontations among some students. The delegation also outlined the immediate response measures taken and proposed stronger safety arrangements to prevent future occurrences.

Addressing participants, Professor Davis strongly condemned the acts of aggression, describing them as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of discipline, sportsmanship and mutual respect that school competitions are designed to promote. He stressed that violence undermines the educational value of extracurricular activities.

He further noted that school sporting events serve as critical platforms for discovering and nurturing young talent while fostering unity among institutions. According to him, with football and traditional games becoming increasingly lucrative career paths, students must be guided to channel their passion positively.

GES management endorsed the Central Regional Director’s decision to suspend all inter-school sporting activities in the affected areas pending comprehensive investigations into the incidents.

Authorities also dismissed widespread media reports alleging fatalities during the clashes. Management confirmed that no death was recorded and that a student earlier reported dead was present at the meeting. Students who sustained injuries and were hospitalised have since been discharged and are receiving continued medical care.

Meanwhile, suspects linked to the assaults have been arrested and are assisting the Ghana Police Service with ongoing investigations, according to officials.

In concluding remarks, the Director-General warned that any student found culpable would face sanctions in accordance with national laws and GES regulations, adding that the Service remains committed to restoring safety and discipline in school sporting activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.