The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Daffiama-Bussie-Issah, Hon. James Wor, has called on students of the Issah Technical Institute to return to campus following a riot on Friday evening. The disturbance was sparked by student grievances over the poor quality and insufficient quantity of their meals.
Student Grievances and Riot
The unrest at the school began during supper when students were served banku and groundnut soup. Students protested that the meal was substandard, alleging that only three tins of mackerel were used to prepare soup for nearly 300 people, without other required ingredients like “keta school boys.”
According to sources, the situation escalated as students disconnected the campus electricity, with community members intervening to prevent the possible burning of the dining hall.
During a visit by officials, students raised further allegations against the school’s principal and accountant, including being charged unapproved fees:
GH₵40 gate fee upon reopening
GH₵25 for ID cards that were allegedly never issued
GH₵40 entertainment fee
Official Response and Investigation
An emergency team led by the DCE visited the school on Saturday morning to assess the damage and speak with stakeholders. The delegation included the Upper West Regional Free SHS Coordinator, Hon. Adamu Dassana, and the Regional TVET Director, Mr Saaka Adams, along with personnel from the Ghana Police Service.
The principal, Mr. Fred Dwamena Amako, denied the allegations of financial malpractice. He reported that students had vandalised his bungalow, destroying furniture and stealing a laptop from the accountant’s residence.
Addressing the media, Hon. James Wor assured the public that the school would not be shut down. He promised a full investigation, stating.
“The era where a few students would do bad things and the whole school has to pay is gone.”
He emphasised that accountability would be key.
“We are going to do thorough investigations. Those that are culpable… If some teachers or administrators are also culpable, then they would also be dealt with.”
He concluded by appealing to all students to return to school to continue their academic work while the investigation proceeds.
