GHANASCO reopens in 2 weeks as gov’t orders probe

By Abdul Karim Naatogma/Citifmonline.com

The Northern Regional Security Council in collaboration with the Minister of Education has temporarily closed down Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) Tamale for two weeks.

This action was in line with disturbances on Sunday May 30 that led to the arrest of some 15 students by the police.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister announced the decision at a meeting with the school authority and other stakeholders at GHANASCO Monday May 31.

He announced that a seven member investigative committee will be formed to investigate circumstances that led to Sunday’s rioting.

Members of the committee will comprise representatives from the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Education Service, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Northern Regional Security Council.

The rest will come from GHANASCO’S Parent Teacher Association, the Board of Governors and a representative from the School Management Committee.

The committee is to complete its work within two weeks and submit its report to the regional minister for the appropriate recommendations to be made and actions taken.

The committee is to work within the following terms of reference: Find out the immediate and remote causes of the riot. Establish the extent of damage to life and property. Identify the perpetrators as well as the victims of the disturbances. Any other matters reasonably related to the disturbances and finally make recommendations to forestall future occurrences.

GHANASCO according to Mr. Mabengba will re-open after two weeks and students will be re-admitted with their parents signing bonds of good behaviour.

The dawn rioting on Sunday saw police firing warning shots and tear gas to disperse the angry students who had gone on rampage.

The rioters burnt the Senior House master’s brand new motorbike and vandalized several school properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

They also blocked all the roads on the school’s compound, smashed the windscreens of the Tamale Metropolitan Education Director and a Police vehicle, causing injury to a police officer.

Speaking to Citi News at their hideout in the Kukuo village, some of the students explained that their agitation had to do with upward adjustment in their school fees and other unexpected bills.

They further alleged that the school authority ceased their mobile phones and burnt them with the excuse that the headmistress is strictly against the use of cellular phones on the school’s premises.

The root cause of the rioting according to them, was the school authority’s decision to lock up the female students in their dormitory on Sunday May 30.

The incident comes few days after Vice President John Dramani Mahama an old student of the school, launched the school’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary at the castle in Accra.