At least five students sustained severe injuries, while several others suffered minor wounds after violence erupted between students of Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Technical Institute during a peace ceremony on Tuesday, February 25.
The event, held at Bawku Technical Institute, was organized by school authorities in collaboration with Kpalwega traditional rulers to put an end to recurring clashes between the two schools.
However, what was intended as a moment of reconciliation quickly spiraled into chaos.
As part of the peace process, traditional leaders introduced the burial of an okra stick, a symbolic ritual meant to solidify harmony between the two rival schools.
However, tensions flared unexpectedly, and students from both sides began hurling stones at each other, disrupting the ceremony and leaving multiple students injured.
The Bawku Divisional Police Command swiftly intervened to restore calm, while the injured were transported to Quality and Vineyard hospitals in Bawku for medical treatment.
Despite the violent outburst, school authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES) managed to complete the ritual, with senior prefects from both schools participating.
While the incident raises concerns about lingering hostilities, authorities remain hopeful that the peace initiative will help foster long-term reconciliation.
