3 students killed at Nkwanta SHS Over Tribal Conflict

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has shut down the Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region after three students of the school were killed in what has been described as a renewed tribal conflict.

The killings happened barely four months after Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South, Geoffrey Kini, drew the attention of Parliament to the renewed clashes in the area. He called for the support of the House to permanently solve the recurring conflict which he said had claimed many precious lives.

Sadly, the call for support was not heeded and the situation has led to the killing of the three innocent students.

The three murdered students include two female day students and a male student.

The two girls, both General Arts students in Forms Two and Three, were returning home after school when they were caught in the crossfire of the violent conflict on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

The third victim, a male Form Three Business student, was also struck by a stray bullet on Friday while within the vicinity of the school on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Eight people have been arrested over the incident and the Ghana Police Service has heightened security in the Nkwanta town and its surrounding communities.

“As I speak, calm has been restored in Nkwanta following the recent violent incidents. Swift and decisive actions have been taken to maintain law and order,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) John Nchor, Public Affairs Officer for the Oti Regional Police Command, has told journalists.

The closure, was announced on Friday June 27 and it took immediate effect.

Education Ministry Mourns

The Ministry of Education has issued a statement to express deep sorrow over the tragic events.

The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Unit, said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all affected students and staff of the school.

“The Ministry of Education is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of lives of two female day students through a shooting incident on Thursday 26th June, 2025, and a male student also hit by a stray bullet on Friday, 27th June, 2025.

The Ministry commiserates with all students, their families, staff of Nkwanta SHS, and everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence within the community,” the statement read.

The Minister commended the GES and the Acting Oti Regional Director of Education for acting swiftly by closing down the school and arranging police escorts to safely guide students back to their homes.

“This is a necessary and responsible step to protect more lives. The safety of our students and teachers is a top priority,” the Minister said.

The statement further mentioned that the GES has been tasked to continue monitoring the situation closely and take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of students, staff, and school property.

Authorities say they are hopeful the conflict will be resolved soon so that students can return to a safe and peaceful learning environment.

“We look forward to a rapid and peaceful resolution to the conflict to enable students to return to a safe learning environment,” the Ministry stated.

MP Unhappy

In February this year, MP for Nkwanta South, Geoffrey Kini, in February this year, told Parliament that the renewed clashes are between the Adelle’s, Akyode’s, Challa’s and a Muslim group in Nkwanta.  He said the conflict happened as a result of a dispute over unclear land boundaries among the feuding factions and tribes.

“Mr. Speaker, may I use this occasion to report to the House that a total of 22 precious lives had been lost since 2022. And as I make this Statement, the entire township of Nkwanta has been deserted, turning their place into a ghost town.

“Government institutions such as banks, schools, hospitals are not functioning fully, while general economic activities and social life has granted to a halt.

“As most people have fled from the municipality to avoid further loss of lives and property, other forms of violence perpetrated by the various factions includes attack on farms, destruction of shops and burning of houses”, the MP, Geoffrey Kini told Parliament on Wednesday February 5, 2025.

The MP disclosed that instead of applying peaceful means and dialogue to solve these misunderstandings, the factions have resorted to violence, resulting in the loss of innocent lives.  He said the conflict has taken a deep toll on the people and until total peace is restored, economic, social and educational activities cannot proceed in a normal way.

Geoffrey Kini, in his address to Parliament, suggested what he believes would be a solution to the conflict: “let us do well to take into account all the various factors that directly or indirectly tend to fuel disputes at various places. This includes social exclusion or marginalisation, extreme politicisation of issues, lack of trust and suspicion of public officials by the different tribes. Let me add that a comprehensive approach which takes into account all the above factors is the surest way to resolve the conflict in Nkwanta South.

“Mr. Speaker, as the incumbent Member of Parliament of the constituency, I wish to pledge my fullest support and commitment to every effort that would be made to bring peace to the area. On my part, I have so far played a neutral role as a peacemaker by doing all in my power to apply communication to draw their attention to the urgent need for dialogue and the negative impact of violence on the constituency. In addition, I wish to request that a special committee be constituted by the appropriate authorities to critically and dispassionately delve into all the issues with the sole aim of finding a lasting solution”, the MP added.