The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) has confirmed details of a tragic accidental shooting incident that occurred at Adventist Senior High School in Bantama, Kumasi, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
According to preliminary findings from NaSIA’s investigative inspection, a 16-year-old male second-year student brought a locally manufactured pistol—belonging to his father—to school. The firearm was accidentally discharged during break time in a classroom, causing a severe eye injury to a female classmate.
The school’s administration acted promptly, providing first aid at the school’s infirmary before transferring the injured student to Kwadaso SDA Hospital. She was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for specialized treatment. The Suame District Police were quickly notified, and the student was arrested and arraigned before the Akropong Juvenile Court on April 7, 2025.
Key Findings from NaSIA’s Investigation:
1. The firearm used in the incident was confirmed to be the property of the student’s father.
2. The shooting occurred in a classroom during break hours with no prior altercation.
3. Investigators noted inadequate security measures, including a low staff-to-student ratio and insufficient access control, which left the school vulnerable to external encroachment.
4. Following the incident, the school, together with its Guidance and Counselling Unit, organized trauma-support sessions for affected students.
Initial Recommendations by NaSIA:
To avert future occurrences, NaSIA has proposed several urgent measures:
– Closure of unauthorized access points at Racecourse and Abrepo junction.
– Enhanced access control through the use of body scanners, ID checks, and strict visitor registration protocols.
– Hiring of additional trained security personnel to strengthen on-campus surveillance.
– Implementation and enforcement of a robust Code of Conduct and disciplinary framework.
– Coordination with local authoritiesto remove encroachers from the school’s premises.
NaSIA emphasizes that this incident serves as a grave reminder of the importance of rigorous security and disciplinary systems within schools. The Authority has pledged to conduct regular follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with these recommendations.
In a statement, NaSIA called on all stakeholders—parents, school authorities, local governments, and community members—to take collective responsibility for safeguarding students. Suspicious activity or policy breaches by educational institutions should be reported immediately to the Authority.
NaSIA, formerly known as the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), is a statutory agency under the Ministry of Education. Established by the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778) and later amended under Act 1023 (2020), the Authority is tasked with upholding the highest standards of education quality and regulation across Ghana’s public and private pre-tertiary institutions.
