All final-year male students of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) have been directed to vacate the school campus following intelligence gathered by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) that they were planning a violent disturbance on campus.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, gave the order when he addressed an emergency gathering of students and staff on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2026.
The Minister said the directive was based on credible security intelligence indicating that some students were preparing to unleash chaos and target key infrastructure on campus.
“What I have picked up among you is that some of you are preparing for hell to break loose tonight on campus, and we will not allow that to happen. You are hereby directed to leave campus immediately,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the decision was a proactive measure to prevent a potential crisis, safeguard lives, and protect public property.
He expressed concern over what he described as a worrying pattern of unrest and destruction of school facilities at BOTECH, noting that allowing tensions to escalate could result in serious consequences, including injuries or fatalities.
“I don’t take delight in punishing people, but if you have called for it, we have to find a way out,” he stated.
The Minister cautioned that failure to comply with the directive could adversely affect the students’ academic progression, including their ability to sit for final examinations.
Scope of Directive
Clarifying the scope of the directive, the Minister stressed that the evacuation order was not a total closure of the institution but a targeted intervention.
According to him, security intelligence specifically identified third-year male students as the group behind the planned disturbances, necessitating the decision for them to vacate the campus immediately.
The Minister said third-year female students, who were not implicated, had been allowed to remain on campus. He added that first-year students would also remain, while second-year students were already off campus as part of their academic schedule.
“It is unfortunate that just a minority is causing this, but a system is in place to identify them,” he said.
Caution
The Regional Minister issued a stern warning that any attempt to defy the directive would attract stronger enforcement measures, including the deployment of military personnel.
“If you don’t leave the campus as directed, I will come back with the military,” he cautioned.
He urged the affected students to comply fully to allow authorities to restore calm and swiftly resolve the situation, after which normal academic activities could resume.
He assured that REGSEC had activated mechanisms to identify and deal with those behind the planned unrest.
He reiterated that the directive was necessary to maintain order and protect the school community while investigations continued.
“Obey this directive so that we can address the matter quickly and allow you to write your examinations,” he appealed.
Recurring Unrest
The anticipated incident adds to a growing list of disturbances at the school over the years, where student protests have occasionally escalated into violence and the destruction of school property.
In January 2015, riots broke out at the school after some students reportedly raised an alarm about a fire outbreak in one of the boys’ dormitories around midnight. During the ensuing stampede, a student was pushed to the ground. Reports indicated that the dormitory lacked protective rails to prevent such accidents.
Some students blamed the incident on the deplorable condition of the facility and staged a protest demanding immediate renovation. As part of their action, they embarked on a hunger strike, rejecting breakfast, lunch, and supper.
February 2021
In February 2021, the school was shut down following violent disturbances on campus. Information gathered indicated that the violence erupted after a heated argument between two final-year students escalated into stone-throwing and the destruction of school property.
August 2022
In 2022, a similar incident led to the indefinite closure of the school after violent clashes between students and security personnel during final examinations.
The unrest began when four students and two teachers were picked up by officials of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for alleged involvement in examination malpractice.
August 2025
In August 2025, another violent protest broke out after six students were suspended for misconduct. The situation escalated, leading to extensive destruction of school property.
Students reportedly disconnected the school from the national electricity grid, set the entire library block ablaze, destroyed the school bus, and damaged several plastic water tanks.
The school was eventually shut down, and upon their return, each second- and third-year male student was made to pay GH¢1,000 and sign a bond before being readmitted.
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