Students of Kinbu Senior High Technical School (KSHTS) in Accra have undergone a two-day crisis counselling session following the fatal stabbing of a first-year student, Addib Alhassan.
Preliminary reports indicate that the incident occurred during an altercation between Addib and a classmate, reportedly following a heated argument.
He was initially rushed to the Adabraka Polyclinic and later transferred to Ridge Hospital due to the severity of his injuries, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The counselling sessions were jointly led by the Director of the Greater Accra Regional Education Directorate, Katumi Natogma Attah, and the Regional Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Love Amponsah.
Students were guided in developing strategies to manage the crisis and return to their pre-crisis functioning levels. Counsellors also provided emotional support and stress-reduction techniques to alleviate immediate stresses.
The team included representatives from the Greater Accra Educational Guidance and Counselling Association, including President Kofi Dadzie from Krowor Municipal Education Directorate, Vice Sally Mbia-Coleman from Ga East Municipal Education Directorate, and Naomi Tetteh from Korley Klottey Municipal Education Directorate. Counsellors from districts including Ga South, Ga Central, Ga West, Ledzokuku, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Ayawaso East, and Weija Gbawe participated.
The programme targeted students from SHS 1 to SHS 3 as well as all teachers at the school.
Counsellors emphasised the need for SHS counsellors to collaborate with coordinators to create tailored action plans for students and the community. Love Amponsah said the goal was to help traumatised students manage the immediate aftermath of the incident and restore a sense of control and stability.
The counselling sessions focused on addressing immediate needs and providing resources to help students cope with the crisis, preventing long-term negative impacts. Madam Amponsah encouraged students to participate in the Value Learning Community (VLC) programme piloted at the school, highlighting its role in promoting discipline and focus.
The initiative integrates values into the learning experience to equip students with academic knowledge as well as crucial 21st-century skills.
She called on students to discourage negative behaviours, adding, “The school is a safe environment for learning and achieving future goals.”
The headmistress of the school, Sylvia Mawunyo Letcher-Teye, provided several recommendations to enhance student safety and well-being.
She urged parents to ensure students do not bring weapons to school and to provide necessary learning materials. “Regular attendance and punctuality should be emphasised,” she said. She also called on authorities to assign security personnel to the school due to its geographical location.
Source: Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa
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