Aggrey Memorial students under investigation for alleged arson

Cape Coast, July 6, GNA - Seventeen second year students of the Aggrey Memorial A M E Zion Secondary School, who reportedly plotted to burn down the school because they had been asked to write a special promotional examination, were on Wednesday interrogated by the police in Cape Coast.

They have, however, been handed over to their parents, who are to accompany them to the Cape Coast District Police Station to assist in further investigations.

Mr Kwesi Appiah-Danquah, Headmaster of the school who made this known in an interview with the GNA at Cape Coast on Thursday, explained that the 17 suspects were among 104 second year students who had been asked to write that examination because they had failed in some of the subjects during the promotional examination.

He further explained that such special examinations were written every year.

He said, however, last Sunday at 2300 hours, the Senior Housemaster told him that some students had informed him (Housemaster) that some of their colleagues were plotting to burn down the school. He said security men guarding the various staff residences were subsequently "reposted" to various points on campus to provide enough security.

The Headmaster said the next day, a disciplinary committee was set up to investigate the matter and the 17 students were picked up and sent to the police for interrogation. He said the special examination was still held and about 104 students wrote it.

The Headmaster stressed that when the "right culprits" were found they would be dealt with according to the Ghana Education Service (GES) rules and regulations.

Sources at the Cape Coast District Police confirmed the incident and said they were still conducting their investigations.