The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has ordered the immediate closure of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality following violent attacks that left several facilities at both schools destroyed.

The decision was taken after security and education authorities inspected the two campuses in the wake of the disturbances, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Although the circumstances that sparked the violence remain unclear, the incident, which reportedly began at about 2:00 a.m., resulted in injuries to six students of Okuapeman Senior High School (OKUASS).

The Headmaster of Okuapeman SHS said the injured students were taken to hospital for treatment. Four have since been discharged, while two remain on admission.

The violence caused extensive damage at Okuapeman SHS, where the school's Visual Arts studio, teachers' office and seven classrooms were set ablaze. Examination papers and certificates were also destroyed in the fire.

Mount Sinai Senior High School was similarly affected, with its storeroom and boys' washroom burnt during the disturbances.

Following an assessment of the destruction, REGSEC directed that both schools be temporarily closed.

Students of Mount Sinai SHS have been asked to vacate the campus by 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, while students of Okuapeman SHS are expected to leave on Thursday morning, September 3.

Addressing students, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr Ivy Asantewaa, described the development as deeply regrettable and warned that the Ghana Education Service would not protect any student found to have played a role in the violence.

The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu-Bempah, also condemned the alleged attacks on police officers who were deployed to intervene during the initial stages of the disturbances.

He assured both school communities that investigations were underway and that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted.

Chairperson of REGSEC and Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, expressed concern over the destruction, particularly at a time when the government is investing in improving infrastructure and facilities in senior high schools across the country.

She said authorities were determined to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that all persons found culpable face the appropriate legal consequences.

Investigations into the attacks are ongoing.

“It doesn’t take one person to fight, it takes two or more. We are not happy with what has happened. You are here to study and avail yourself to be morally upright and so you need to comport yourselves,” .

“We are building a nation, we are not destroying a nation. We are resetting and that includes resetting you. Investigations are going on, those who started throwing the stones will not be allowed to go scot-free,” she said.