Fear grips students of the Bokankye D/A Primary and Junior High School in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Municipality of the Ashanti Region after gunshots were fired by a group in a land dispute.

Two rival chiefs in the area are reported to be engaged in a protracted litigation over ownership of a parcel of land close to the school.

One of the factions reportedly deployed land guards to assert control, leading to the violent incident that subsequently saw the temporary closure of the school. 

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, authorities at the Bokankye Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High School temporarily closed down the school after gunshots were fired close to their premises.

The violent attack between two factions laying claim to a parcel of land, two blocks away from the school, caused fear and panic among students and staff.

School authorities and community leaders justified the temporary closure, citing the frequent sporadic gunfire that perforated the school’s roofs.

“There’s a parcel of land that’s two blocks away from here. On Thursday, the teachers and students here heard gunshots and quickly called me in. We understand one of the local chiefs had ordered land guards to ward off any attempts by another group laying claim to the place. They fired shots preventing anyone and according to the teachers, the guns could perforate the roof. We agreed to let everyone stay away from school,” Richard Kwabena Boateng, Unit Committee Vice Chairman of the area, said.

According to leaders at the community, a court injunction has been secured, barring all parties from accessing the disputed land until an amicable resolution.

“On Monday, the local leaders met and called the district police commander who assured a court injunction had been secured to prevent the two groups from laying ownership to the land until a compromise was reached,” he added.

The school has however resumed amidst fears as community members call for immediate resolution to the impasse.

“Indeed, what the chiefs are doing has put fear in the school children and teachers. We have however asked the students to come to school assuring their parents of tight security measures,” Richard noted