A student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH) has been stabbed during unrest linked to the ongoing Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival in Koforidua, sparking fears of retaliation and renewed concerns over security at school sporting events.
The victim, identified as Jerome Appiah, was reportedly attacked by a group of Form Two students from New Juaben Senior High School while he was eating waakye on his way back to campus.
He sustained a deep machete wound to the shoulder and reportedly bled profusely before help arrived.
Police from the Eastern Regional Command responded swiftly to the incident and transported the injured student to the Eastern Regional Hospital. He is currently receiving treatment and is said to be in stable condition.
In the aftermath of the stabbing, the Headmaster of Koforidua SECTECH, Emmanuel Frimpong Benjabeng, together with some teachers, rushed to the Koforidua Youth Resource Centre — the venue hosting the inter-schools sports festival — to prevent possible retaliatory attacks by agitated students.
At the time of the incident, Mr. Benjabeng was attending a meeting with the New Juaben South Municipal Education Director, Mustapha Haruna Appiah, when reports of further disturbances began to surface.
According to sources, the education director later sustained a head injury after being struck by a flying stone during clashes at the venue.
The confrontation allegedly involved students of Nsutam Senior High Technical School, who were accused of throwing stones during the unrest.
Expressing deep concern over the recurring violence at school sporting events, Mr. Appiah has called on the police and event organisers to launch a thorough investigation into the incidents and strengthen security measures to prevent further disturbances.
