Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has taken a visible and assertive role in addressing school-related violence, particularly in response to a recent incident that sparked national concern.
Swift Reaction to Violent School Clash
In February 2026, violence erupted during the District Schools Athletics Games held in Agona Swedru in the Central Region of Ghana. The event, which was meant to celebrate sportsmanship and friendly competition among secondary schools, deteriorated into a confrontation between students from Obrachire Senior High Technical School and Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS). Videos circulating on social media showed students pelted with stones and attacked, leading to one student being hospitalized and widespread public outrage.
In response, COP Donkor personally traveled to Swedru School of Business to confront the unfolding situation and underscore the seriousness of the incident.
Holding School Authorities Accountable
During her engagement, Donkor issued a firm ultimatum to the headmaster of SWESBUS: the school must produce the students involved in the attack within 24 hours. She stated that the behavior shown was not mere indiscipline but constituted a criminal act under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act.
While acknowledging that the police have the authority to make arrests directly, Donkor explained that law enforcement was exercising restraint in order to avoid storming the school premises and instead gave school authorities the opportunity to cooperate in identifying the suspects.
Emphasis on Safety and Accountability
Beyond the immediate ultimatum, COP Donkor’s engagement reinforced two key priorities:
Accountability: She stressed that turning violent conduct into monikers like “indiscipline” without consequences undermines legal norms and school safety.
Safe Learning Environments: Donkor’s actions highlighted the principle that school environments must remain safe spaces for learning and association, free from criminal behavior that endangers students’ welfare.
Broader Policing Context
Donkor’s handling of this school violence incident fits within her broader role at the CID, where she has been active in responding to various forms of public safety threats and crime in Ghana. As a senior CID leader, she has publicly condemned violent acts and urged collaborations between schools, parents, community leaders, and law enforcement to prevent escalation of conflicts.
Her interventions demonstrate a proactive policing approach that balances firm enforcement with efforts to preserve educational spaces insisting that justice and safety go hand in hand even in youth-related conflicts.
Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
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