ActionAid Ghana has launched the Activista Safe Schools Initiative in the Upper East Region to strengthen peacebuilding and conflict prevention in Senior High and Technical Schools following a series of student riots and violent disturbances.
The initiative, introduced during a stakeholder engagement on the theme, “Promoting Safer Schools through Youth Leadership, Peacebuilding and Collective Action,” seeks to establish student-led Safe Schools Clubs that will promote peaceful coexistence, leadership, civic responsibility, and psychosocial well-being.
Addressing participants, Akuka Yakubu, Upper East Regional Manager, ActionAid Ghana, said the region had witnessed an alarming rise in school-related violence, including demonstrations, vandalism, bullying, and indiscipline, disrupting teaching and learning while affecting students’ wellbeing and damaging school property.
He noted that between January and June 2026 alone, four incidents of student violence were recorded in Bawku Senior High School, Bolgatanga Technical Institute, Bongo Senior High School, and Zebilla Senior High Technical School.
According to ActionAid, the disturbances have often been fuelled by poor conflict management, communication breakdowns between students and school authorities, welfare concerns, examination malpractice, tribal intolerance, substance abuse, and external community tensions.
Mr. Akuka stressed that punitive measures alone would not solve the problem, advocating preventive approaches centred on dialogue, counselling, peace education, student leadership, and stronger collaboration between schools and communities.
He said the Safe Schools Clubs would empower students to serve as Peace Ambassadors by promoting dialogue, tolerance, gender equality, environmental responsibility, and active citizenship while complementing existing school structures.
Upper East Regional Coordinator of Activista Ghana, Nicholas Azebire, described the initiative as a timely response to growing concerns over violence in second-cycle institutions.
He recalled that in 2025, the Upper East Region recorded the highest number of student disturbances in the country and said fresh incidents had already occurred in several schools this year.
Mr. Azebire announced that the initiative would begin in 10 pioneer schools, namely Bawku Technical Institute, Bolgatanga Technical Institute, Zamse Senior High School, Bolgatanga Senior High School, Zuarungu Senior High School, Awe Senior High School, Bongo Senior High School, Zebilla Senior High Technical School, Bawku Senior High School, and Kongo Senior High School.
He said the clubs would also champion environmental stewardship through an Eco-vista component focused on tree planting and climate action.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, Assistant Director at the Regional Coordinating Council, Yvonne Wonchua, described the engagement as timely, citing recent demonstrations, bullying, and vandalism in schools across the region.
She commended ActionAid Ghana for complementing government’s efforts in education and youth empowerment and urged parents to play a greater role in instilling discipline in their children.
The Regional Coordinating Council also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peaceful learning environments and responsible student leadership.
Representing the Regional Peace Council, Sir Alfred Ndago expressed concern over the frequent riots in schools, saying violence had become one of the region’s biggest peace and development challenges.
He urged school authorities to improve communication with students, strengthen grievance resolution mechanisms, and work closely with Student Representative Councils to address concerns before they escalate into unrest.
The Upper East Regional Education Directorate also pledged its support for the initiative. The Public Relations Officer of the Directorate, Nathaniel N-yaaba, lamented that the region continued to make headlines for student riots instead of academic achievements.
He encouraged students to use existing counselling services and dialogue channels to resolve grievances rather than resorting to violence.
The Ghana Police Service also warned students against engaging in riots. Regional Police Chaplain, Rev. Cpl. Bright Amezugbe, said police had adopted a tougher approach towards student violence and would ensure perpetrators faced the full rigours of the law.
He assured schools of the Police Service’s readiness to partner with educational institutions through continuous sensitisation programmes aimed at preventing violence.
Akpanaba Bridget, Assistant Programs Manager, from the National Commission for Civic Education, urged students to become active citizens by respecting school rules, rejecting bullying, reporting wrongdoing, and using established communication channels to address grievances.
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