The Ministry of Education has condemned a disturbing shooting incident at Zohe Evangelical Presbyterian Primary School in Yendi, Northern Region, where two armed men stormed the premises and fired gunshots indiscriminately, throwing pupils and staff into panic.
The attackers also assaulted the headmaster of the school, who sustained injuries during the incident.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, though local reports suggest it may be linked to a dispute over the construction of a structure on the school's football field.
A viral video of the incident shows two casually dressed men firing shots into the air while children and teachers flee in terror.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Police Service to conduct immediate and urgent investigations into the criminal act and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a statement issued by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister, the Ministry stressed that "schools are sacred spaces dedicated to teaching, learning, and the holistic development of children."
It added that "acts of violence, intimidation, and the use of firearms on school premises are unacceptable and constitute a grave threat to the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and the entire educational community" .
The Ministry also called on the public to desist from encroaching on school premises and urged anyone with information that could assist investigations to cooperate fully with the Ghana Police Service.
Authorities have ordered the temporary closure of the school until further notice as police investigations continue and security assessments are undertaken.
The Ministry expressed solidarity with the affected pupils, staff, and the injured headmaster, wishing him a speedy recovery.
Below is the entire statement;
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CONDEMNS SHOOTING INCIDENT AT ZOHE EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN YENDI
The Ministry of Education unequivocally condemns the disturbing shooting incident that occurred at Zohe Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary School in Yendi, in the Northern Region.
2. Preliminary reports in Yendi as reported by the media indicate that two-armed men stormed the school premises and discharged firearms indiscriminately, causing fear and panic among pupils and staff. During the incident, the headmaster of the school was allegedly assaulted and sustained injuries.
3. The Honourable Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the immediate attention of the Ghana Police Service to this criminal act and has called for the swift investigations into the incidents.
4. The Ministry wishes to emphasize that schools are sacred spaces dedicated to teaching, learning, and the holistic development of children. Acts of violence, intimidation, and the use of firearms on school premises are unacceptable and constitute a grave threat to the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and the entire educational community. He also called on the public to desist from encroaching into schools.
5. The Ministry stands in solidarity with the affected pupils, staff, and the injured Headmaster and wishes him a speedy recovery. We further assure parents, guardians, and the public that we will continue to work closely with the security agencies to ensure that all schools remain safe and secure environments for teaching and learning.
6. The Ministry urges anyone with information that could assist investigations to cooperate fully with the Ghana Police Service.
Issued by:
Hashmin Mohammed
Press Secretary to the Honourable Minister
