Africa Education Watch has urged the government to postpone the reopening of schools in the Volta Region following separatist attacks and growing insecurity in the area.

A statement issued by Africa Education Watch stressed the need for the government to reconsider its decision to reopen schools in the Volta Region as the lives of “students, teachers and non-teaching staff in some 1,400 public and private JHS and SHS in the Volta Region” are on the line.

According to the statement, “schools have always been targeted by such rebel groups across Africa, especially in Nigeria and Cameroon where armed separatist groups have murdered many students and teachers in recent times”.

The schools have been closed since March 2020, as part of measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Many high schools and tertiary institutions took to virtual means of teaching and learning.

Meanwhile, final-year students at the junior high and senior high school levels were allowed to sit their final exams and have since completed successfully.

Last Friday, a Western Togoland separatist group blocked roads leading to the region, hoisted their flags, captured three police officers and exchanged gunfire with security agencies in their quest for independence.

In the early hours of Tuesday, 29 September 2020, a separatist group attacked the STC yard in Ho and set two of their buses ablaze.

Several individuals and groups have publicly condemned the recent attacks in the region.

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs, on Tuesday, 29 September 2020, reacting to these disturbances at a press conference, described the actions of the Western Togoland groups as “criminal”, adding that the crimes “should be investigated and those involved be made to face the full rigours of the law”. 

The chiefs declared their commitment to “one peaceful and united Ghana” and said they are “prepared to collaborate with the government to ensure peace and stability in the Volta Region and the country at large”.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flagbearer, Mr John Mahama, have also condemned the incident.

The NDC said the attacks by the groups “are a clear indication of the failure of the government under President Nana Akufo-Addo and the National Security Council which he chairs.”

The party, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, bemoaned the silence of the President on the matter.

“While property has been destroyed and lives lost, the people of Ghana are yet to hear a comment by the President condemning these acts of treason and lawlessness, let alone consoling the victims, and taking urgent action as appropriate to restore law and order. This is what Ghanaians expect from their President who incidentally is the Chairman of ECOWAS,” the statement said.

In condemning the act, Mr Mahama indicated that “Ghana is a sovereign republic” adding that: “Nobody can claim a part of Ghana”.

He made the statement while addressing party supporters in Jinijini in the Bono Region on Tuesday, 29 September 2020.