The Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended the headmaster of Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS), Solomon Sarpong Bagmae, for allegedly making an unauthorised public appeal for food assistance for students sitting the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
A directive signed by Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, Irene Jacquelina Attabra, stated that Mr. Bagmae engaged the media on August 4 without prior approval from the GES, in breach of administrative protocol.
“Mr. Bagmae is to step aside with immediate effect to allow for an independent and objective investigation into the matter,” the directive noted.
He has been instructed to hand over all school property and administrative duties to the Regional Director and to refrain from public commentary while the investigation is ongoing.
The suspension comes amid reports of food shortages at Nkwanta SHS and two other schools in the region — Community Senior High Technical School and Kyabobo Senior High School following a sudden surge in WASSCE candidate numbers, attributed to ongoing conflict in the Nkwanta South area.
Before his suspension, Mr. Bagmae had raised concerns about the welfare of students.
“The increased candidate population has overwhelmed our food supply. We are doing our best, but the situation is dire. With the right support, our students will be in a better position to face the WASSCE,” he said.
He further explained that the unrest had disrupted supply chains and destabilised the wider community, placing additional strain on school resources.
