Eastern Regional Minister recounts events that sparked Okuapeman-Mount Sinai clash [Listen]

Tensions between the student bodies of Okuapeman and Mount Sinai Senior High Schools recently culminated in violent clashes, with Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey attributing the conflict to the schools' proximity to one another. Awatey highlighted the shared boundary, allowing students to easily transition between the institutions, thereby creating a volatile atmosphere for potential confrontations.

On Sunday, Mount Sinai students alerted their teacher on duty, who intervened after hearing reports of Okuapeman students throwing stones. The teacher halted the students, preventing further hostile activities and directing them to return home without preparation for the next day.

The situation intensified the following day when both schools reported fires. The Minister reported that some storerooms at Mount Sinai were damaged, alongside the Visual Arts department office and two classrooms at Okuapeman, though the extent of the fire damage was not severe. The Fire Service and the police swiftly extinguished the flames, managing the crisis effectively.

In response to preventing further unrest, Awatey announced plans to release the students early for their scheduled vacation, emphasizing that this does not signify a school closure. The students were already slated for a break, and the early release was merely a precautionary measure.

Awatey clarified that buses would facilitate student transportation home, offering assistance to those in need of additional support. Over ten students were subsequently arrested in connection with the clashes, signaling the authorities' commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the violence.