The Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended all zonal inter-school sporting activities among senior high and senior high technical schools in the Central Region following reports of violence during recent competitions.
In a directive dated 22 February 2026, the Central Regional Directorate of GES said it had received credible reports of “grave incidents of violence and clashes” among students during recent zonal athletics events.
According to the letter, the incidents have not only disrupted the spirit of healthy competition but have also posed serious threats to the safety and well-being of students, staff and spectators.
“As you are aware, sporting activities within our schools are intended to promote discipline, teamwork, mutual respect, and healthy rivalry. It is therefore regrettable that these noble objectives have been undermined by acts of indiscipline and violence,” the statement said.
In response, management directed the immediate cessation of all zonal inter-school sporting activities in senior high schools (SHSs) and senior high technical schools (SHTSs) across the region “until further notice”.
Heads of SHSs and SHTSs have been instructed to suspend all planned or scheduled zonal competitions, communicate the directive to staff, students and relevant stakeholders, and ensure strict compliance within their institutions.
The GES said the temporary measure would allow authorities to undertake a thorough review of the situation, engage stakeholders and develop strategies and preventive mechanisms to forestall any recurrence of violent incidents.
The directive takes immediate effect and must be adhered to without exception.
The letter was signed by Mrs Juliette Dufie Ofori-Dutami, Central Regional Director of Education. Copies were sent to the Director-General of GES, the Central Regional Minister and other education officials in the region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
