Parents, teachers, and students in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region of Ghana are demanding answers after the District Director of Education, Mr. George Asira, allegedly barred students from participating in a regional inter-district sports competition held in the Kassena Nankana Municipality.
The sudden decision has sparked widespread outrage and disappointment, with critics accusing Mr. Asira of undermining student talent, mismanaging sports development funds, and failing to promote extracurricular education in the district.
Allegations of Authoritarian Leadership and Fund Mismanagement
Several parents and educators have criticized Mr. Asira’s leadership style, describing it as “Mugabeous”, likening his alleged authoritarianism to that of the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.
The controversy reportedly stems from suspected mismanagement of funds meant for extracurricular activities and sports. According to concerned parents, the district held a fundraising campaign three years ago to support school sports programs. However, they claim the funds were declared “exhausted” without any proper financial accountability.
Despite additional financial support from the Bolgatanga East District Assembly, Mr. Asira allegedly failed to release the needed funds. The total cost of participation was estimated at GH₵8,500, but the director reportedly claimed only GH₵2,000—provided by the District Assembly—was available.
Teachers Sacrifice, Yet Students Are Let Down
Teachers and sports coordinators, determined to support the students, reportedly sacrificed their own allowances to make up for the funding gap. However, Mr. Asira still reduced the student contingent from 176 to just 34 participants, and eventually canceled most of the teams’ participation altogether.
Last-Minute Cancellation Shocks Schools
A frustrated teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the events leading up to the regional competition:
“We had already gathered at the office, waiting for transportation, when we were informed that the director could no longer finance the trip. The students were devastated—some had even been brought by their parents, expecting to compete.”
The teams had spent weeks preparing, attending training camps, and undergoing official selection processes, only for most of them to be abruptly disqualified from participating.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
When contacted for comment, Mr. Asira stated he was in a meeting and could not respond, a response that has only intensified public frustration.
Stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and youth advocates, are now calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Upper East Regional Directorate to launch an urgent investigation into the matter.
“This is not just about sports—it’s about opportunities for these children to excel,” one concerned parent said. “If we keep stifling their potential, what future do they have?”
The incident has reignited national conversations on transparency and leadership accountability within Ghana’s education system, particularly in rural and under-resourced districts like Bolgatanga East. Many believe that if left unchecked, such actions will continue to rob young students of opportunities for growth, exposure, and talent development.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah| Bolgatanga
