Accra, Ghana – Nadia Lartechoe Annan, the headmistress of O’Reilly Senior High School (SHS), reportedly fled for her life on Wednesday after a meeting between the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the family of a deceased student descended into chaos. The incident follows the tragic death of Edward Sackey, an 18-year-old final-year General Arts student, who was fatally stabbed by a classmate from the Visual Arts Department on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The meeting, which took place at the school, was expected to be a peaceful discussion to address the family’s concerns and offer explanations regarding the circumstances of Edward’s death. The Chief of Okpoi Gonno, Nii Okpoi Gonno Twerebour IV, was also in attendance, further emphasizing the importance of the gathering.
However, as reported by Adom News’ Prince Owusu Asiedu, emotions ran high when grieving family members began accusing the school management of being unresponsive and negligent in handling the tragic incident. The tense atmosphere quickly escalated as the family members, overcome with grief and anger, started shouting, demanding answers, and questioning the school’s actions—or lack thereof—following the incident.
Fearing for her safety, Headmistress Annan swiftly left the meeting before the situation could worsen. The family’s frustration was palpable, with one of Edward’s sisters voicing her outrage, saying, “When the incident happened, the suspect was rescued and taken to an office. So do they want to tell us they have not interrogated him or he hasn’t willingly spoken?”
Another family member expressed disbelief at the school’s perceived indifference, adding, “This is not the first time. Human beings make up the school, not fowls. So they must thoroughly probe the matter.”
The tragic incident that sparked the meeting occurred on Monday, September 2, 2024, when a heated argument between Edward and his classmate over whose father was wealthier took a fatal turn. The argument reportedly escalated into violence, with the classmate stabbing Edward in front of their peers. A disturbing video circulating online shows other students carrying the injured Edward through the schoolyard and down the roadside in a desperate attempt to get him to a hospital. Unfortunately, Edward succumbed to his injuries before he could be saved.
The incident has raised serious concerns about student safety and school management’s response to violent incidents. The family’s demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Edward’s death have intensified, and they continue to seek justice for their loved one. The GES has yet to release an official statement on the matter.