Students and staff at the Bokankye D/A Primary and Junior High School in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Municipality of the Ashanti Region were left in a state of fear and uncertainty after gunshots were fired during a violent confrontation between two rival factions in a long-running land dispute.
The land in question, located just two blocks away from the school, has become the epicenter of a fierce and ongoing legal battle between two chiefs in the area.
The altercation, which occurred on Thursday, February 27, 2025, prompted authorities to temporarily close the school for safety reasons. It is reported that one of the factions involved in the dispute had deployed land guards to assert control over the land, resulting in gunfire that caused panic among students and staff members.
“There’s a parcel of land two blocks away from here. On Thursday, the teachers and students heard gunshots and quickly contacted me. We were informed that one of the chiefs had sent land guards to prevent the other faction from claiming the land.
The gunshots were so intense that they even caused the school’s roof to be perforated. At that point, we agreed to close the school for everyone’s safety,” said Richard Kwabena Boateng, Vice Chairman of the local Unit Committee.
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The gunfire, which came dangerously close to the school, raised concerns about the safety of the children and staff members. Authorities and community leaders justified the school’s closure, citing the ongoing sporadic gunshots that could potentially jeopardize the safety of the students.
Local leaders have assured the community that a court injunction has been issued, preventing both factions from accessing the disputed land until a peaceful resolution can be reached. “On Monday, the district police commander confirmed that a court injunction had been secured to prevent any further claims or confrontations over the land until an agreement is reached,” Boateng added.
The school has since resumed operations, but fear still lingers among students, parents, and teachers. Despite assurances of tight security measures, the community is calling for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the dispute to prevent further escalation.
“The actions of the chiefs have created fear in the children and teachers. We’ve encouraged parents to send their children back to school, promising them heightened security around the school,” Boateng noted.
As the school reopens amidst continued concerns, the community remains hopeful that the legal and local authorities will work swiftly to resolve the land dispute and ensure that such violent incidents do not recur, providing a safe and conducive environment for both students and staff.
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