The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed sadness over the tragic incident at O’Reilly Senior High School, which led to the untimely death of a final-year student, Edward Sackey.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the GES extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the entire school community.
The deceased reportedly died on Monday, September 2, after being stabbed in the chest during an altercation with a classmate.
The victim, 18-year-old Edward Sackey, was a student in the school's General Arts Department.
The incident occurred on campus after a fight broke out between Edward and a fellow student from the Visual Arts Department named Godwin, shortly after the deceased had finished writing an exam.
On September 4, 2024, the Director-General of the GES led a team to visit both the school and the family of the deceased to commiserate with them.
The GES assured that “we are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.”
“We hope to conclude our administrative investigations within two weeks while the Police Service handles the criminal investigation. We are pleased to report that calm has been restored on the campus, and we are working to ensure the well-being and safety of all students and staff,” portions of the release stated.
It added “GES remains committed to providing a secure and conducive learning environment for all students," the statement continued. We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent such incidents and ensure our schools remain safe spaces for academic excellence.”
The GES further urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident and to allow the investigative processes to unfold.
"We understand the public’s concern, but we ask for patience as we carry out our investigations. We will provide updates as necessary," the release added.
Credit: Emma Ankrah