On August 5, 2025, students of Sirigu Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana staged a peaceful demonstration, demanding the removal of their headmaster, Mr. Fredinard Achaa.
The protest arose from the students’ frustrations regarding the headmaster’s refusal to address critical issues affecting their school life.The Students Representative Council (SRC) President, Bukari Ayadago, spoke exclusively to Word News about the students’ grievances.
He mentioned that the students had previously written several letters seeking assistance, but their concerns had gone unaddressed. A significant issue prompting the students’ actions was the breakdown of five boreholes, forcing them to travel long distances to access water.
This situation has severely disrupted academic activities, as students spend considerable time fetching water.Ayadago, a visually impaired student, highlighted that Sirigu SHS is the only integrated senior high school in the Upper East Region.
He expressed concern for his peers, stating that the lack of proper toilet facilities has led to disturbing incidents, including a schoolgirl being ridiculed for resorting to open defecation.
Despite the school being part of the free education policy, Ayadago noted that students are required to pay fees recently, which increased from 100 to 150 Ghana cedis—to support school feeding programs.
However, they have not received adequate meals, sometimes not even an egg, and the school lacks a proper menu.The SRC has called on the government to remove the headmaster within five days and establish a committee to investigate his actions. They demand accountability for the feeding fees collected without providing adequate meals.
District Chief Executive for Kassena Nankana West, Mr. Akurugu Aeke Stephen confirmed the demonstration to word news. He said he learned of the situation while on way to his office and returned to the school to de-escalate tensions.
The students informed him about the broken boreholes and non-functional toilet facilities, which led to the open defecation issue. Consequently, he advised the headmaster to stay away from the school.Mr. Stephen described the intensity of the situation:
“I had no option because the students had all surrounded us, leaving us in the middle. The headmaster was also in the middle with some other policemen, and over 500 students surrounded us. They want the key to their pickup. They don’t want the headmaster to be using their pickup. They don’t even want him again in the school.”
Despite the chaos, Mr. Stephen noted that the students did not damage any school property, and calm was eventually restored. He added that he has instructed a mechanic to repair the broken boreholes and promised to address the toilet facility issues as well.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya Adongo