GES Reinstates Tsito SHTS Headmaster After Clearing Him of Tin Tomato Diversion Allegations
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has reinstated Rev. Joy Kafui Akpebu, Headmaster of Tsito Senior High Technical School (SHTS), following a thorough investigation into the alleged diversion of 100 cartons of tinned tomatoes intended for student meals.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, GES announced that no evidence was found linking Rev. Akpebu to the alleged misconduct. The Service stated that the investigation “did not establish any wrongdoing on the part of the Headmaster” and as such, he has been cleared of all allegations and reinstated to his position.
Background of the Incident
The controversy began on January 17, 2025, when a video surfaced on social media, showing a Golden Dragon bus belonging to Tsito SHTS allegedly offloading cartons of tinned tomatoes into a taxi along the Sokode Gborgame–Akrofu road. The video quickly sparked public concern about potential misappropriation of food items meant for students.
According to initial reports, the bus was said to be carrying provisions allocated to both Tsito SHTS and Awudome SHS. On January 16, 2025, the storekeepers of the two schools had been dispatched to collect their respective supplies: Tsito SHTS received 10 bags of Tom Brown cereal and 50 packs of tinned tomatoes, while Awudome SHS received 20 bags of cereal and 150 packs of tomatoes.
However, allegations emerged that 100 extra cartons of tinned tomatoes—unaccounted for in the official allocation—had been secretly loaded onto the bus by Elorm Pius Bansah, an officer of the Regional Free SHS Secretariat and the son of the Volta Regional Free SHS Coordinator, Mrs. Fidelia Dorleku. These cartons were allegedly intended for delivery to a private storage facility.
On the following day, Rev. Akpebu had directed that new tyres be fitted to the bus ahead of an upcoming school trip. It was during this errand that the driver and storekeeper reportedly diverted to offload the extra cartons along the Sokode Gborgame–Akrofu road.
The driver of the taxi involved in the transfer, with registration number GR 5051 U, was apprehended to aid in investigations.
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Despite the alarming nature of the allegations, a subsequent inspection confirmed that all provisions officially allocated to both Tsito and Awudome schools were intact, and no shortages were reported.
GES Interdiction and Investigation
On January 18, 2025, the GES acted swiftly by interdicting three staff members of Tsito SHTS—Rev. Joy Kafui Akpebu, storekeeper Sylvanus Awunyo, and driver Samuel Kwame Ampeh. The interdictions were carried out in accordance with Section 8, Clauses (i-v) of the GES Code of Conduct, which empowers the Service to interdict staff whose continued presence at post may interfere with investigations.
The interdiction sparked public debate, particularly regarding the accountability structures in school supply chains and the role of external actors.
Clearance and Reinstatement
After months of investigation, the GES concluded that there was no evidence implicating the Headmaster in the alleged diversion. The Service emphasized the importance of due process, and in reinstating Rev. Akpebu, it reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and justice in handling such matters.
The status of the other two interdicted staff members and the ongoing inquiry into the actions of Elorm Pius Bansah remain under review.
Looking Ahead
With his name cleared, Rev. Akpebu is expected to resume his duties at Tsito SHTS immediately. The incident has, however, reignited conversations about the need for improved transparency, monitoring, and accountability in the distribution of government-provided school supplies, especially under the Free SHS programme.
GES has assured stakeholders that it will continue working to enhance oversight mechanisms and prevent such controversies in the future.
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