The Ghana Education Service (GES) Central Regional Directorate has ordered the immediate halt of all zonal inter-school sports involving Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) across the region after violent incidents marred recent competitions.
In a statement dated Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Directorate explained that the decision followed credible reports of clashes among students during zonal athletics events. Management said the unrest raised serious safety concerns.
Footage circulating online captures an assault on a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School allegedly carried out by students from Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS) during a district inter-schools athletics meet.
The incident reportedly occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19, after tensions between the two schools escalated into a physical confrontation.
Witnesses say what began as competitive rivalry during the sporting event quickly spiralled into violence, culminating in the severe beating of the Obrachire SHTS student.
In its letter, GES expressed grave concern, stating that the disturbances had undermined the essence of healthy competition and posed significant risks to students, staff, and spectators.
It stressed that school sports are meant to foster discipline, teamwork, mutual respect, and positive rivalry, lamenting that these principles had been compromised by acts of indiscipline.
To protect lives, restore order, and uphold the integrity of school sports, the Directorate announced the immediate suspension of all zonal inter-school sporting activities until further notice.
The temporary ban, it said, will allow authorities to conduct a comprehensive review, consult key stakeholders, and put in place preventive measures to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
Heads of SHSs and SHTSs have been instructed to cancel any upcoming zonal athletics competitions, inform staff, students, and other stakeholders of the directive, and ensure full compliance. The statement underscored that the order takes effect immediately and must be strictly observed.
The Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to reinstating sporting activities once adequate safeguards are established to guarantee safety, discipline, and the true spirit of fair competition.