Two students of the Seventh-Day Adventist Senior High School in Bantama,
Ashanti Region, were severely injured after being shot by a fellow student on
Friday, April 4, 2025. The shocking incident took place during the school’s
break time, turning what was expected to be a normal school day into a scene of
chaos and fear among students and staff.
According to reports from school authorities and eyewitnesses, a Form Two
student identified as Bernard Amoabeng brought a gun to school concealed in his
bag. It is unclear how he was able to sneak the weapon into the school compound
without being detected. During the break period, Amoabeng was reportedly
engaged in a discussion with a few classmates about the weapon he had on him.
The students were curious, and some doubted the gun was real or even
functional.
In an effort to prove that the gun was real and could fire, Amoabeng pulled
the trigger. The shot was fired in the midst of the group, hitting two
students. One of the victims, a female student identified only as Penamang, was
critically injured with a gunshot wound to her forehead. The other victim,
whose name has not been disclosed, also sustained injuries during the incident.
There was immediate panic on the school compound as students and teachers
scrambled to help the victims while ensuring their own safety.
Penamang was rushed to the nearby Kwadaso Hospital for emergency treatment.
Due to the critical nature of her injury, she was later transferred to the
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care. Doctors are
reportedly doing their best to stabilize her condition, and her family has
since been notified.
Meanwhile, school management quickly alerted local authorities, and officers
from the Suame Police Station arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting.
The suspect, Bernard Amoabeng, was apprehended and is currently in police
custody. Investigations have been launched to determine the source of the
weapon and the circumstances that led to the student gaining access to it.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that they are treating the case as a
serious breach of public safety and are looking into possible negligence or
loopholes in school security that may have allowed the firearm to be brought
onto campus. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation,
although early reports suggest that it was not premeditated but rather a
reckless action that went horribly wrong.
Parents of students at the school rushed to the campus upon hearing the
news, with many expressing fear and anger over the lack of security. Some
parents have called for immediate reforms in how students are screened before
entering school premises, demanding tighter security measures and counseling
support for the affected students and their peers. Teachers and school
administrators were visibly shaken by the event, and there are calls for a
temporary suspension of classes while investigations are carried out.
Educational authorities in the Ashanti Region have described the incident as
deeply troubling and have promised to work with security agencies to prevent
future occurrences. They are also urging all school heads to intensify
monitoring and conduct regular security checks to ensure that no student is
able to bring dangerous items into school environments.
Mental health professionals have advised that trauma counseling be provided
to all students and staff involved or exposed to the shooting incident. Experts
believe that immediate psychological support will be necessary to help affected
students process the experience and reduce long-term emotional effects.
This tragic event has sparked widespread debate across social media and
other platforms about student behavior, access to weapons, and the growing need
for parental and community involvement in monitoring the actions and mental
well-being of young people. Many are asking how a young student managed to
obtain a gun and why no one detected the danger until it was too late.
The Ghana Education Service is expected to release an official statement on
the matter in the coming days, and the school has promised to cooperate fully
with the police and other relevant agencies to ensure that justice is served
and that the necessary safety improvements are made.
The incident has left the Adventist SHS community in shock and mourning. As
investigations continue, the nation watches closely to see what steps will be
taken to ensure the safety of all students across the country.
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