The Ghana Education Service (GES) has said it will extend by a week the academic calendar for schools located on the Akuapim ridge that have been closed down due to the funeral rites of the Okuapehene Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa II.
The week long funeral rites began on Monday. The schools are expected to reopen by next week Tuesday by which time the funeral rites would have ended.
The Akuapim Traditional Council during a press conference last week gave firm assurances to the Public that the old practice where people are beheaded to bury alongside deceased chiefs will not be tolerated in the area.
“In view of the fear and panic that people might not be entertained as a result of the general perception that people would be beheaded and the heads jointly buried with the late chief, the traditional council has given the cock assurances that the practice will not be executed,” the Council said.
However, speaking to Fiifi Banson on Kasapa FM, the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GES, Emmanuel Asiedu Acheampong, stated that in as much the Akuapim Traditional Council has given firm assurance, the GES is being proactive in order to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
He said the GES is of the view that the students will be safer being with their parents and hence the directive given.
“The students are expected back in school on Tuesday, in their own interest we’ve asked them to go home. Though we have assurances of safety from the traditional authorities, we want to be double sure of the students security, so we’ve asked them to go home and be with their parents. We think they will be safer with their parents than being in school.”