News
Senior housemaster suspended for invoking curse on students
What began as idle student gossip at the Nkenkenso Senior High School in Offinso-North of the Ashanti region has erupted into a scandal that has shaken the institution, drawing a stern gaze of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
At the centre of the storm is Mr Akwasi Opoku—known to students as ‘Striker’—the Senior Housemaster now suspended after allegedly invoking a curse on three school boys under his care.
It all started with whispers. The students had reportedly linked Mr Opoku to the tragic death of a teacher who died in a motor accident following an alleged altercation. When the rumours reached him, the confrontation that followed was anything but ordinary. In a moment that stunned the school community, Mr Opoku was said to have pronounced a curse on the boys.
The story took an even darker turn when his mother, reputed to be a chief priestess, allegedly performed rituals tied to the curse. To undo it, the students were initially asked to pay GH¢1,000 each. But later they offered six fowls, one guinea fowl, three bottles of Schnapps and GH¢500 each before the curse was said to be overturned.
For households already struggling, the financial burden was crushing; for the students, the emotional toll was far worse. Fear replaced youthful confidence, and the classroom became a place of dread.
Attempts by the Headmaster and the District Director of Education to quietly resolve the matter failed until the GES stepped in. On February 24, the GES issued a statement condemning Mr Opoku’s actions which it described as “unprofessional and damaging to the reputation of both the school and the GES.”
He has since been suspended, directed to hand over all school property and documents to the Assistant Headmaster while investigations continue.
The incident has sparked outrage and soul-searching as parents consider the safety of their children in the hands of those entrusted with their welfare.
For now, the students at Nkenkenso Senior High School walk their campus with a mix of relief and lingering fear; relief that the curse has been lifted and fear that authority could be wielded in ways that leave them vulnerable.
The GES investigation will determine Mr Opoku’s fate, but the case has already become a mirror reflecting broader concerns: professionalism in education, accountability in leadership, and the fragile trust between educators and the young lives they shape.
As one parent put it, “We bring our children here to learn, not to live in fear of curses.”
When the Headmaster of the School, Kwaku Djan-Asante, was contacted on phone, he would not give details, saying the “case is now being handled by the GES.”
The chairman of the Parents Teacher Association (PTA), Mr Thomas Addicossi Dieudonne, confirmed to The Spectator and insisted that, “We have taken a strong decision that we don’t want Mr Opoku in the school any more.”
“Even though the GES is yet to determine the case, this is our position,” he added.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
