By Alex Ababio
Alarming incident erupted at Adventist Senior High School in Bantama, Ashanti Region on a fateful Friday morning in April 2025 after a student fired a gun on campus, leaving two students injured , sparking nationwide concerns over rising brutality and access to firearms among Ghana’s youth.
In a horrifying display of violence, a Form Two student called Bernard Amoabeng reportedly smuggled a loaded pistol onto campus during break. According to eyewitnesses, an impassioned discussion emerged among students regarding whether the weapon could genuinely discharge bullets.
In a stunning turn, Amoabeng allegedly discharged the firearm, claiming he merely sought to “test the gun.” Tragically, the bullet struck two schoolmates, causing pandemonium across the school. A brilliant female pupil named Penamang sustained critical head injuries and was hastily rushed to Kwadaso Hospital but later referred to renowned Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where she remains in intensive care battling for her life.
The identity of the second victim is undisclosed as they currently receive medical attention. Regrettably, the severity of their condition is still unconfirmed. The prompt Suame Divisional Police Command responded to the disturbing scene, arresting Bernard Amoabeng. A comprehensive investigation has been launched regarding how the lethal firearm was obtained and smuggled into the ordinarily safe learning environment.
The shocking incident sparked national outrage and fear, fueling critical national debates about school security in Ghana, youth access to lethal weapons, and the urgent need for discipline and mental health interventions in educational institutions. Parents, teachers and education stakeholders now demand stricter safety protocols, enhanced security checks and stronger guidance and counseling programs to curb growing incidents of student brutality in Ghanaian schools.
While school authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement, they reportedly cooperate fully with law enforcement in their probe. This tragic school shooting adds to the alarming trend of violence among students in Ghana, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of current school safety policies and the growing risks confronting children and educators alike.