A peace ceremony aimed at ending hostilities between students of Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Technical Institute turned violent on Tuesday, February 25, leaving at least five students with severe injuries and several others with minor wounds.

The event, held in the Kpalwega suburb of Bawku, was organized by traditional leaders to foster reconciliation between the two schools, which have a history of clashes.

The ceremony began peacefully, but tensions escalated during a symbolic ritual meant to solidify the truce.

As part of the reconciliation process, the traditional leaders introduced the burial of an okra stick—a cultural gesture symbolizing the end of conflict and the beginning of lasting peace.

However, what was meant to be a moment of unity quickly spiralled into chaos.

Students from both schools began pelting stones at each other, disrupting the ceremony and triggering a stampede.

The Bawku Divisional Police Command swiftly intervened to restore order, while the injured students were rushed to Quality and Vineyard hospitals for medical attention.

Despite the violence, school authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES) remained resolute in their mission to promote peace.

With the involvement of senior prefects from both institutions, the ritual was eventually completed, marking a hopeful step toward reconciliation.

Authorities have since intensified security measures around the schools to prevent further clashes, while efforts continue to strengthen peace between the two student groups.