5 students injured during ‘violent’ peace ceremony in Bawku
An event that was meant to foster peace between some senior high schools in Bawku went awry after violence broke out among the students.
The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, February 25, saw at least five students with varying degrees of injuries while several others sustained minor wounds.
The peace ceremony was held for students of Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Technical Institute by the school authorities in partnership with the Kpalwega traditional rulers to end recurring clashes between the two schools.
During the reconciliation process, the traditional leaders proposed the burial of the okra stick, which is a symbolic ritual to foster peace.
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However, the process was grounded to a halt when tensions flared and caused students from both sides to pelt stones at each other.
It took the swift intervention of the Bawku Divisional Police Command to restore order.
Meanwhile, the injured students were rushed to the Quality and Vineyard Hospital in Bawku for treatment.
Despite the momentary violence, the school authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES) proceeded with the ritual, with the senior prefects from both schools.