Three Former Hohoe E.P. SHS Students Arrested Over Alleged Destruction of School Water Infrastructure After WASSCE

The Volta North Regional Police Command has arrested three former students of Hohoe E.P. Senior High School for allegedly vandalising school property following the completion of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The arrests come after school authorities lodged a formal complaint and a viral video surfaced online, purportedly showing a group of former students destroying parts of the school’s water supply infrastructure shortly after writing their final examination papers.

The suspects have been identified as Rashid Suraj Dakpo, 19, Alhassan Mohammed, 20, and Abdul Kadri Abdulai, 20.

According to a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Volta North Regional Police Headquarters in Hohoe, the incident occurred on June 19, 2026, when approximately five former students allegedly damaged sections of the school’s water pipeline system before leaving campus for their respective homes.

The police explained that the arrests followed intelligence-led operations and surveillance activities initiated after receiving the complaint from school management.

“The Regional Police Command deployed intelligence surveillance on the suspects and apprehended three of them,” the statement noted.

The three suspects have since been handed over to the Regional

Investigations Department to assist with ongoing investigations. Police say they will be processed for court upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining individuals believed to have participated in the act. Authorities say some of the suspects were captured in the viral footage currently circulating on social media.

Rising Concern Over Post-WASSCE Vandalism

The incident has reignited concerns about the growing trend of vandalism by some final-year students after completing the WASSCE.

Over the past few years, several senior high schools across Ghana have recorded cases of students damaging school facilities, including dormitories, classroom furniture, electrical installations, water systems, and other essential infrastructure in what is often described as “celebratory misconduct.”

Education stakeholders have repeatedly condemned the practice, arguing that it undermines efforts to improve educational infrastructure and places unnecessary financial burdens on the state.

Ministry of Education Issues Strong Warning

The arrests come just days after the Ministry of Education issued a nationwide caution to final-year students, warning that any acts of vandalism or destruction of school property would attract severe disciplinary measures and possible criminal prosecution.

The Ministry further directed school authorities to document and report all cases of vandalism through the Ghana Education Service (GES) to facilitate investigations and enforcement actions.

Police Warn Students Against Destructive Acts

The Volta North Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting public property and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

“The Command warns that any student caught engaging in these acts will face the full rigours of the law,” the statement emphasised.

Police also appealed to parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders to intensify efforts to educate young people about the legal, social, and financial consequences of destroying public property.

Impact on Educational Infrastructure

Education experts have long argued that vandalism in schools diverts scarce resources from educational development to costly repair and replacement works.

The water pipeline allegedly damaged at Hohoe E.P. SHS forms a critical part of the school’s infrastructure, providing water for both students and staff. Its destruction is expected to disrupt normal operations and impose additional costs on the institution.

Investigations remain ongoing as police intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects connected to the incident.