All final-year male students of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) have been directed to vacate the school campus following intelligence gathered by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) that they were planning a violent disturbance on campus.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, gave the order when he addressed an emergency gathering of students and staff on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2026.

The Minister said the directive was based on credible security intelligence indicating that some students were preparing to unleash chaos and target key infrastructure on campus.

“What I have picked up among you is that some of you are preparing for hell to break loose tonight on campus, and we will not allow that to happen. You are hereby directed to leave campus immediately,” he stated.

The Minister explained that the decision was a proactive measure to prevent a potential crisis, safeguard lives, and protect public property.

He expressed concern over what he described as a worrying pattern of unrest and destruction of school facilities at BOTECH, noting that allowing tensions to escalate could result in serious consequences, including injuries or fatalities.

“I don’t take delight in punishing people, but if you have called for it, we have to find a way out,” he stated.

The Minister cautioned that failure to comply with the directive could adversely affect the students’ academic progression, including their ability to sit for final examinations.

Scope of Directive

Clarifying the scope of the directive, the Minister stressed that the evacuation order was not a total closure of the institution but a targeted intervention.

According to him, security intelligence specifically identified third-year male students as the group behind the planned disturbances, necessitating the decision for them to vacate the campus immediately.

The Minister said third-year female students, who were not implicated, had been allowed to remain on campus. He added that first-year students would also remain, while second-year students were already off campus as part of their academic schedule.

“It is unfortunate that just a minority is causing this, but a system is in place to identify them,” he said.

Caution

The Regional Minister issued a stern warning that any attempt to defy the directive would attract stronger enforcement measures, including the deployment of military personnel.

“If you don’t leave the campus as directed, I will come back with the military,” he cautioned.

He urged the affected students to comply fully to allow authorities to restore calm and swiftly resolve the situation, after which normal academic activities could resume.

He assured that REGSEC had activated mechanisms to identify and deal with those behind the planned unrest.

He reiterated that the directive was necessary to maintain order and protect the school community while investigations continued.

“Obey this directive so that we can address the matter quickly and allow you to write your examinations,” he appealed.

Recurring Unrest

The anticipated incident adds to a growing list of disturbances at the school over the years, where student protests have occasionally escalated into violence and the destruction of school property.

In January 2015, riots broke out at the school after some students reportedly raised an alarm about a fire outbreak in one of the boys’ dormitories around midnight. During the ensuing stampede, a student was pushed to the ground. Reports indicated that the dormitory lacked protective rails to prevent such accidents.

Some students blamed the incident on the deplorable condition of the facility and staged a protest demanding immediate renovation. As part of their action, they embarked on a hunger strike, rejecting breakfast, lunch, and supper.

February 2021

In February 2021, the school was shut down following violent disturbances on campus. Information gathered indicated that the violence erupted after a heated argument between two final-year students escalated into stone-throwing and the destruction of school property.

August 2022

In 2022, a similar incident led to the indefinite closure of the school after violent clashes between students and security personnel during final examinations.

The unrest began when four students and two teachers were picked up by officials of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for alleged involvement in examination malpractice.

August 2025

In August 2025, another violent protest broke out after six students were suspended for misconduct. The situation escalated, leading to extensive destruction of school property.

Students reportedly disconnected the school from the national electricity grid, set the entire library block ablaze, destroyed the school bus, and damaged several plastic water tanks.

The school was eventually shut down, and upon their return, each second- and third-year male student was made to pay GH¢1,000 and sign a bond before being readmitted.

myjoyonline.com

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government, demanding urgent action over the alleged assault of teachers by military personnel in the Western Region.

The incident is reported to have involved officers of the 2nd Infantry Battalion stationed at Apremdo in Takoradi, which has triggered widespread anger among teachers, particularly in the Wassa West District, where some educators claim they were assaulted and humiliated.

Speaking on Newsfeed on Channel One TV on Thursday, GNAT General Secretary Thomas Tanko Musah described the incident as part of a growing pattern of attacks against teachers, warning that the situation was becoming unacceptable.

He said teachers were increasingly coming under attack from different sections of society, including students, parents, and now members of the security services.

“For us as GNAT, our motto always stands, ‘We live to teach.’ However, it looks like some stakeholders are becoming a stumbling block on our way,” he said.

“These students, some of them have been beating teachers. Some parents also go to schools and beat teachers. And now the military people too have joined the beating,” he said.

“And we are telling ourselves that if the state cannot protect us, then we are not safe.”

Mr Musah noted that GNAT has given the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service two weeks to address the concerns, including paying the medical bills of affected teachers, providing compensation, and ensuring that those responsible are punished.

According to Musah, affected teachers have already reported the incident to the police and are assisting with investigations.

He warned that failure to act within the deadline would trigger industrial action.

“If the powers that be fail to act, nobody should underestimate our actions,” he said.

“That means strikes, demonstrations, and every option under the Constitution is on the table. We will deploy them as and when necessary.”

citinewsroom.com

A protest by youth in Shama-Nyankrom in the Western Region on Monday, May 4, disrupted movement in the area for hours, affecting both industrial transport and candidates sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The demonstrators blocked the main road in the town by burning car tyres and mounting barricades, bringing traffic to a standstill despite the presence of police personnel deployed to the scene.

The action halted the movement of heavy-duty trucks transporting clay to major manufacturing firms, including Twyford Ceramics and Marco Polo Tiles, known for producing tiles and water closets.

However, beyond the industrial impact, the protest also significantly affected education activities, as BECE candidates and their teachers were left stranded and unable to reach their examination centres on time.

Some candidates were forced to wait for hours as access routes remained blocked, raising concerns about delays and disruptions to the nationwide examination.

The protest was organised by a group calling itself the Nyankrom Concerned Youth, who say their actions were triggered by the government’s failure to act on longstanding concerns about the poor state of roads in the community.

Speaking to Channel One TV’s Akwasi Agyei Annim, the group’s leader, Israel Kwesi Eshun, said the demonstration followed the expiration of a one-month ultimatum issued to authorities to ensure contractors returned to site to rehabilitate the deteriorating roads.

According to him, the situation has worsened over time, largely due to the activities of heavy-duty trucks servicing the tile manufacturing companies, which he said have left the main road in a severely damaged and almost unusable condition.

He expressed frustration over what he described as official inaction, warning that the protest would not be a one-off event.

The incident highlights growing tensions in the area over infrastructure neglect, as residents balance the economic benefits of industrial activity with the impact on local roads and daily life.