Final year BOTECH students sent off campus over alleged planned protest

All final-year male students of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) have been ordered to leave campus following intelligence received by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) about a planned protest.

A report by adomonline.com on May 7, 2026, indicated that Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, issued the directive during an emergency meeting on the evening of May 6, 2026.

“What I have heard is that some of you are preparing for chaos tonight... You are hereby directed to leave campus immediately,” he stated.

The minister emphasised that the evacuation was necessary to prevent chaos, protect lives, and safeguard public property.

“I do not take pleasure in punishing people, but if you have called for it, we must find a way out,” he said.

“If you do not leave the campus as directed, I will return with the military,” the minister warned.

He, however, noted that the directive does not imply a complete closure of the school.

Third-year female students and first-year students are permitted to remain on campus, while second-year students are currently off-campus for their academic schedule.

REGSEC has stated that measures have been activated to identify those behind the plan. So, that normal academic activities can resume once order is restored.

The issue has attracted attention because in January 2015, a riot over a dormitory fire alarm resulted in a stampede and a hunger strike over poor facilities.

In February 2021, the school was shut down after a fight between two final-year students escalated into stone-throwing and damage to property.

In August 2022, the school faced an indefinite closure following clashes with security during examinations, which led to the arrest of four students and two teachers for alleged malpractice.

In August 2025, violent protests erupted after six students were suspended, during which students cut the power, burned the library, destroyed a school bus, and damaged water tanks.

The school was later reopened after each second- and third-year male student paid GH₵1,000 and signed a bond of good behaviour.

NAD/VPO

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