The Ada West District Court has convicted two students from Ada Senior High Technical School for their roles in a viral video showing one of them wielding a cutlass and threatening classmates. Oscar Amemasor, 20, and Emmanuel Senunya, 18, faced charges of assault and abetment of assault against a fellow student. The pair initially pleaded not-guilty but later changed their pleas, leading to their conviction. The incident occurred in May 2026 and gained significant attention on social media.
The viral video triggered the arrest of four students by the Tema Regional Police Command. A night patrol team was dispatched to the school, and all four students identified in the video were apprehended with the cooperation of school authorities. The police urged students to channel disagreements through established school structures rather than resort to violence or intimidation. They also called on parents and school authorities to reinforce supervision, discipline, and guidance to safeguard order across all campuses.
The students' lawyer, Enock Teye Sewornu, stated that the decision to change their pleas was made with their futures firmly in mind. The timing of the ruling was particularly significant given that both young men had just received their WASSCE results and were on the verge of entering university. The court ordered both students to sign a 12-month bond committing them to good behaviour rather than imposing a custodial sentence.
According to the lawyer, the outcome was a considerable relief for both the students and their families. The conviction and subsequent bond allowed the students to continue their academic journeys without further interruption. The incident highlighted the need for schools to maintain a safe and secure environment for students.
The Ada Senior High Technical School incident was not an isolated case of student violence. Earlier in the year, six students of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School in the Central Region of Ghana were arrested for allegedly attacking a final-year student of Adisadel College in Cape Coast. Such incidents underscore the importance of school authorities and law enforcement agencies working together to prevent and address student misconduct.
The Tema Regional Police Command's response to the viral video demonstrated the swift action that can be taken when incidents of student violence come to light. The police statement emphasized the importance of students resolving conflicts through proper channels, and the role of parents and school authorities in maintaining discipline.
The convictions of Oscar Amemasor and Emmanuel Senunya serve as a reminder to students of the consequences of engaging in violent behaviour. The outcome of the case provides an opportunity for schools to reflect on their strategies for preventing and addressing student conflicts, and for students to consider the impact of their actions on their peers and their own futures.
Key points
- Two Ada Senior High Technical School students convicted for assault and abetment of assault.
- Students sentenced to 12-month bond committing them to good behaviour.
- Incident highlights need for schools to maintain safe and secure environments.
