By Michael Foli Jackidy
Sokode (V/R), April 16, GNA – The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, has officially received the final report on the recent unrest at Sokode Senior High School (SHS), compiled by a seven-member investigative committee chaired by Mr. Alexander Mawusi Buadi.
The 42-page document, presented during a brief ceremony at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in Ho, marks the culmination of weeks of detailed inquiry into the incident, which caused significant concern among education stakeholders and the public.
The committee, which was tasked with uncovering the root causes of the unrest and recommending corrective measures, conducted extensive interviews with 43 individuals.
These included students, teachers, administrators, board members, parents, and other key stakeholders.
According to the report, the disturbance stemmed from growing student indiscipline, including worrying revelations of drug use, truancy, and students leaving campus without permission.
It also found that governance and oversight structures within the school—such as the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), School Board, and Student Representative Council (SRC)—had become weak and ineffective.
The damage caused during the incident was estimated at GH₵175,000, covering broken infrastructure, destroyed equipment, and other forms of property loss.
The report also emphasised the need for enhanced counseling services, stronger collaboration between school authorities and parents, and a restructured disciplinary system that prioritizes prevention and early intervention.
In receiving the report, Mr. James Gunu expressed deep appreciation to Mr. Buadi and his committee for their diligence, professionalism, and commitment to addressing the issue with fairness and clarity.
“I commend the committee for the in-depth work done. The findings and recommendations provide us with a clear path forward to prevent a recurrence of such unfortunate incidents,” the Minister stated.
He assured the public that the Regional Coordinating Council would not take the findings lightly and revealed that the full report had been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Department for legal advice and further action.
The Minister indicated that based on the legal counsel, decisive actions will be taken to restore discipline, accountability, and leadership in the school.
“Education remains the cornerstone of our region’s development, and we must ensure that our schools are safe, structured, and nurturing environments for learning. This report will help us make bold decisions in that direction,” he added.
The Volta Regional Minister further noted that the incident at Sokode SHS should serve as a wake-up call to other schools in the region, urging heads of institutions to strengthen internal monitoring systems and ensure student welfare remained a top priority.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to inform broader reforms in secondary education management across the Volta Region.
GNA
MA/CA