Issa, DAFFIAMA-BUSSIE-ISSA DISTRICT – A student protest over the quality of food at the Issah Technical Institute on Friday, September 5, 2025, escalated into a full-blown riot, resulting in significant property damage and the exposure of serious allegations against the school’s administration.
An investigative team led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. James Wor, has since visited the campus and initiated a probe into the incident.
The Riot and Immediate Aftermath
The disturbance reportedly began during supper on Friday evening. Students, already displeased with a small serving of jollof for lunch, were angered by the small size of the banku they received for their evening meal.
This triggered a rampage where students allegedly:
• Broke into the school’s food stores, taking sardines and mackerel.
• Vandalized the official residences of the school principal and accountant.
• Destroyed school property and stole a laptop belonging to the accountant.
The chaos continued into the night until community members, including the PTA chairman, intervened to restore calm.
Officials Intervene, Uncover Deeper Issues
On Saturday morning, a high-level team led by DCE Hon. James Wor arrived to assess the situation. The delegation included the Regional Free SHS Coordinator, Hon. Adamu Dasaana, and the Regional TVET Director, Mr. Adams Saaka, accompanied by personnel from the Ghana Police Service.
Through separate meetings with students, staff, community leaders, and the principal, the team discovered that the riot was the culmination of long-standing grievances. During an inspection of the principal’s vandalized residence, pieces of mackerel were found scattered in the nearby grass.
A Pattern of Allegations
Student Accusations
During a nearly two-hour meeting, students levelled serious accusations of financial mismanagement and neglect against the principal, Mr. Fred Dwemena Amaoku, and the school accountant.
Key allegations include:
• Unaccounted Fees: Students claim they are forced to pay a GH₵50 gate fee (for second and third years), a GH₵40 arrival fee each semester, GH₵25 for ID cards that are never delivered, and GH₵40 for a sound system that has not been purchased.
• Mismanagement of School Resources: Students allege that produce from the school farm, which they work on, is loaded onto Kia trucks and sold off without any benefit to them. They also claimed the school bus is frequently used for the principal’s personal errands, such as travelling to Wa to pick up a single guest.
Staff and Community Concerns
The teaching and non-teaching staff echoed the students’ frustrations, describing an administration run by a small circle including the principal, accountant, secretary, and storekeeper. They noted that the accountant allegedly bypasses the official chain of command, violating the mandated TVET structure.
Community leaders, including the local Assemblyman Hon. Earnest Kansanbata, accused the principal of dishonesty, claiming he felled trees under the pretence of making tables and chairs for the school, but only produced a few benches.
The Path Forward: Investigation and Assurances
When reached for comment, the principal, Mr. Fred Dwemena Amaoku, denied all allegations against him and highlighted the extensive damage done to his property by the students.
After the meetings, Hon. James Wor announced that the school would not be closed down. He assured all stakeholders that an investigative committee would be formed to thoroughly examine the grievances. He also gave immediate assurance that the quality and quantity of student meals would be improved.
