The Upper East Region accounted for 38 out of the 48 strike incidents recorded in Senior High Schools across Ghana in 2025, representing the vast majority of such incidents nationwide.
Retired educationist and member of the Upper East Regional Peace Council Board, Sir Alfred Ndado, disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day in Bolgatanga.
The event was organised by Activista Ghana and the Young Urban Women’s Movement, with support from ActionAid Ghana, to engage young people and stakeholders on issues affecting youth development.
Sir Alfred Ndado described the statistics on violence in schools as disturbing and questioned the factors contributing to the high incidence of strikes in the Upper East Region.
“In the whole country, in 2025, 48 strikes occurred in Senior High Schools, and the Upper East Region alone accounted for 38 of the 48.”
He said the development required urgent attention to the attitudes and behaviour of students, as well as the role of parents in shaping the character of young people.
According to him, poor parenting is a major challenge confronting Ghanaian society, arguing that some children grow up without adequate discipline and subsequently struggle to adapt to rules and authority when they enter school.
Sir Alfred said the Peace Council had undertaken education programmes in several Senior High Schools in the region to promote peaceful behaviour and prevent violence.
He, however, warned that the spread of violence in the region extends beyond schools, describing some areas as potential flashpoints if the situation is not addressed.
He therefore called for attitudinal change among young people, urging them to take advantage of opportunities provided by government and civil society organisations to develop their skills and improve their livelihoods.
Sir Alfred also expressed concern about drug abuse among young people, particularly its link to road crashes involving motorbike riders.
He said many young people were suffering serious injuries after riding motorcycles under the influence of drugs, with some sustaining permanent disabilities or losing limbs through amputation.
He urged the youth to take their future seriously and avoid activities that could jeopardise their lives and opportunities.
Sir Alfred further appealed to parents to pay greater attention to the upbringing of their children, while encouraging young people to make good use of interventions by organisations such as ActionAid Ghana and Activista Ghana.
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