Adisadel College assault: Blame GES, school management due to lack of security policy – Security policy expert

The recent assault incident at Adisadel College has drawn sharp criticism from Anthony Acquaye, a Security Policy Expert at the Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy.

He has placed blame on the Ghana Education Services (GES) and the Management Board of Adisadel College for their failure to implement adequate security protocols, resulting in the distressing incident.

The assault, which was captured in a viral video, showed a student viciously attacking a fellow student by locking his arm around his neck and causing him to hit his head against a metal bed. The victim sustained severe injuries to one side of his face.

In a statement dated July 25, 2023, Anthony Acquaye expressed his deep concern over the incident, describing it as a clear act of terrorism that goes beyond mere bullying.

“The barbaric act of assault that occurred in Adisadel College has exposed many impunities happening in various levels of our institutions.

This is a clear act of terrorism, and the blame falls on the Ghana Education Services and the Adisadel College Management Board for failing to put in place adequate security protocols or measures to prevent such unfortunate acts by students,” the statement read.

Acquaye emphasized that educational institutions bear responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of their students, especially in the context of the global threat of terrorism.

He urged schools to adopt modern strategies and implement a Comprehensive Security Policy Document that outlines necessary protocols and measures to manage and mitigate potential threats.

“Our institutions must consider students’ safety and security as referent objects of discussion to ensure a secure environment for their pursuit of knowledge. The old mechanisms of protecting students and properties are no longer sufficient in the face of new unfolding threats,” the expert stressed.

Acquaye also called for a thorough investigation by the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigative Department (CID) into the incident.

He emphasized the need for appropriate disciplinary actions as stipulated by the law, in order to serve as a deterrent to other students who might contemplate engaging in such violent acts in the future.

“Inasmuch as I condemn the act, I deem it important to clearly state, that this behaviour by the student is criminal and must not just be handled at the school Management level, but call for investigation by the criminal investigative department of Ghana police to establish the root cause of the act and sanction the perpetrator with the appropriate disciplinary action has stipulated by the law to serve as deterrence to many other students in the future”. He stated.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh