Stakeholders in peacebuilding in the Upper East Region have expressed deep concern about the increasing spate of violence in second-cycle schools, warning that the trend undermines effective teaching and learning.

In the past few months, more than five separate incidents of violent disturbances have been reported in institutions such as Bawku Senior High School, Zuarungu Senior High School, Gowrie Senior High School, Bolgatanga Technical Institute, and Sirigu Integrated Senior High School.

The clashes, often involving students, have led to the destruction of school property, heightened insecurity on campuses, and, in some instances, the closure of schools.

The issue dominated discussions at a stakeholder forum held in Bolgatanga, organised by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO) under its peacebuilding and conflict prevention project.

The project, dubbed “Integrated Peacebuilding for Improved Food and Nutrition Supply (INPEACE),” is funded by MISEREOR and aims to strengthen stakeholder collaboration for peacebuilding.

The forum, which brought together state and non-state actors, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and security agencies, provided an opportunity to deliberate on existing and emerging threats to peace in the region.

It also created a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and discuss strategic measures for preventing violence and crime across the region.

Dr Joseph Bangu, the Executive Director of NABOCADO, said the situation called for urgent interventions before it spirals out of control, saying, “We cannot sit unconcerned while indiscipline escalates and threatens the future of our children. We must act collectively.”

Opinions were divided on the underlying causes of the unrest. Some stakeholders attributed the problem to the abolition of corporal punishment in schools, arguing that teachers had been stripped of their authority to enforce strict discipline.

According to Daniel Amoyea, Secretary of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission and a teacher, “Without the cane or some form of corporal punishment, many students are simply not afraid of breaking school rules. Teachers are helpless when it comes to instilling discipline.”

On his part, Adam Mustapha Sheriff, an aide to the Upper East Regional Chief Imam, pointed to the growing menace of drug abuse among students as a major factor, noting that drugs such as marijuana and tramadol were increasingly finding their way into schools, emboldening students to engage in violent behaviour.

“Our security services also need to step up to deal with the dealers of these hard drugs because the situation is becoming rampant and destroying our children,” he added.

Ali Anankpieng, a Conflict Resolution Expert, highlighted the misuse of social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, which he said were being used to mobilise groups of students for fights, spread inflammatory messages, and escalate minor disagreements into violent confrontations.

He further expressed worry about the circulation of offensive weapons among students and the youth and called for urgent action to address the challenge.

Anankpieng therefore called for urgent, multi-sectoral action to address the worrying trend and ensure that peace, stability, and discipline are restored to schools.