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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has received a petition requesting an in-depth investigation into the physical assault and indefinite suspension of Abraham Sambou, a third-year student at Labone Senior High School.
On June 21, Mrs. Raissa Ebu wrote to the GES detailing an incident that occurred on June 18, where the House Master, Mr. Eric Agyemang (known as Power), allegedly slapped Mr. Sambou. The incident followed an accusation by the school prefect, Blessing Nyamekye, who falsely claimed that Mr. Sambou was using a mobile phone and refused to surrender it.
“Besides the assault, Master Sambou was barred from attending classes that day and was confined in the senior house master’s office without food or water until 2 PM when we arrived to meet the school’s management,” Mrs. Ebu wrote.
“Following this, Master Sambou has been indefinitely expelled from the boarding house despite denying the false allegations. He asserts that he does not use a phone at school and was merely defending himself against the prefect’s harassment and false accusation.”
Mrs. Ebu stressed that this unjustified and undocumented expulsion without due process has caused significant problems for the family, as Master Sambou now has to commute daily from Kasoa in the Central Region to Labone, Accra.
“The family is deeply troubled by the mistreatment of our ward Master Sambou and the actions of the school authorities, especially Mr. Agyemang, who admitted to slapping the vulnerable final-year student. This student, who requires all the psychological support he can get as the WASSCE approaches, was unfairly treated,” she noted.
“Mr. Agyemang defended his actions by claiming that Master Sambou lied about his father’s availability when asked for his father’s phone number. It was later confirmed that Master Sambou’s father was indeed unavailable, as the call was eventually answered by the boy’s mother,” she continued.
Mrs. Ebu also mentioned that during their visit to the school to discuss the issue, the headmistress, Mrs. Rejoice Acorlor, openly supported Mr. Agyemang’s actions. She stated that she would have acted even more harshly, suggesting she would have slapped the boy and hit him with her shoes.
“She also indicated that if the incident had happened before the registration for the WASSCE, she would have ensured Master Sambou was not registered for the exam,” Mrs. Ebu added.
Mrs. Ebu emphasized that the headmistress’s stance raises serious concerns about the school’s governance and the quality of education.
“The wrongful actions against Abraham Sambou have caused significant distress and disruption to his education, particularly as he prepares for his final examination. Following the assault, Master Sambou has been experiencing severe headaches and pain in his left ear and eye, requiring treatment at the Amanfro Polyclinic on June 19, 2024.
“As of the time of writing this petition, Mr. Eric Agyemang has a photograph of himself on his WhatsApp Display Picture (contact number 0244382506) in which he is purportedly seen displaying a gun.”
“It is essential that Master Abraham Sambou receives a fair hearing as required by natural justice, so he can continue his studies without undue physical and psychological trauma,” Mrs. Ebu concluded.
