The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ordered the immediate suspension of all inter-school sporting activities in the Central Region following recent incidents of violence during zonal athletics competitions.
In a directive dated Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Central Regional Director of Education, Juliette Dufie Otami, cited “grave incidents of violence and clashes among students of competing schools” as the reason for the suspension.
The order affects all Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) across the region and will remain in force until further notice.
Mrs. Otami emphasised that sporting activities are intended to “promote discipline, teamwork, mutual respect, and healthy rivalry,” but noted that these objectives have recently been undermined by acts of indiscipline and violence.
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The directive instructs heads of schools to immediately suspend all scheduled competitions, formally inform staff, students, and relevant stakeholders, and ensure strict compliance with the order. According to GES, the temporary suspension will provide the opportunity to review existing safety protocols and develop strengthened measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Management counts on your usual cooperation and leadership to ensure calm, discipline, and order within your schools during this period,” Mrs. Otami stated, underscoring the need to prioritise student safety.
The decision follows viral videos showing violent clashes during the February 19, 2026 district inter-schools athletics competition held in Agona Swedru. The incident involved students of Obrachire Senior High Technical School and Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS).
The Ghana Police Service has since launched an investigation into the incident.
GES has assured parents and the general public that sporting activities will only resume under conditions that guarantee safety, discipline, and the true spirit of healthy competition.
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