Education Ministry and GES Condemn Violent Attacks on Schools in Yendi and Savelugu Following Armed Assault on Headmaster

The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) have issued a strong condemnation following a series of violent incidents targeting educational institutions and personnel in the Northern Region. In Yendi, the Zohe Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary School was the scene of a terrifying armed assault on July 9, which has led to the temporary closure of the facility. According to official reports, two armed men stormed the school premises and fired shots indiscriminately, causing widespread panic among students and staff. The school's headmaster, Mr. Mohammed Shing Gazali, was reportedly assaulted and sustained injuries during the confrontation, which is believed to have stemmed from a dispute over the construction of a commercial shed or general encroachment on school property.

In response to the violence, the Ghana Education Service has ordered the temporary closure of the Zohe EP Schools until July 13, 2026, to ensure the safety of the academic community while security assessments are conducted. The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Police Service to launch a swift and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Ministry emphasized that schools must remain "sacred spaces" and safe environments for learning, urging the public to respect the sanctity of educational grounds and cease any unauthorized construction or encroachment activities that provoke such conflicts.

Adding to the growing concerns regarding educator safety, the Savelugu Municipal Education Directorate recently confirmed the tragic death of Mr. Fusini Alendu Ghene, a teacher at Gushei M/A Basic School. Mr. Ghene was found lifeless in the Gushei community after a distress call was made to the police following an attack. This fatal incident has amplified calls for better security measures for teachers, particularly those working in rural or volatile areas. The Education Directorate has since advised teachers to remain vigilant and report any security threats to the appropriate authorities as the police continue their investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.

These combined events have highlighted a disturbing trend of violence affecting the educational sector in the region. The Ministry of Education has reiterated its solidarity with the affected staff and students, calling on community members to assist the police with any information that could lead to arrests. As the GES prepares for the scheduled reopening of the Yendi schools, the focus remains on restoring a sense of security and ensuring that educational activities can proceed without the threat of physical harm or intimidation.