The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Harry Amago has fiercely condemned the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent enforcement drive against Ashaiman private schools, labeling it outright “destructive. Mr. Harry Amago told Ahotor FM that the EPA’s aggressive methods risk undermining local education efforts, insisting regulators prioritize partnership over penalties. He highlighted how these schools deliver essential services to communities and need clear support to achieve compliance.
Trouble began on January 12, 2026 as EPA teams swept through Ashaiman institutions, handing out summons letters for alleged permit violations. School heads reporting to the EPA office encountered steep demands of GH¢10,000 to GH¢15,000 in fees. Non-payment led to swift closure stickers slapped on premises, triggering parental panic and halting lessons. Mr. Amago criticized the total lack of advance talks with stakeholders, calling it a recipe for needless chaos and fear.
Joining the chorus, GNAPS National 1st Vice President Hon. Justice King Essel called for an instant stop to the raids. Those stickers are wrecking our schools’ goodwill beyond repair, he declared, reassuring proprietors to stay steady while GNAPS fights for answers. Essel pushed hard for joint discussions to unpack the permit rules, exposing deep-seated gripes in private education about heavy-handed oversight.
Proprietors vented their pain as punitive and heartbreaking, with one anonymous figure revealing to Ahotor FM how the scares are chasing off families and sinking modest setups in tough economic times. The standoff spotlights chronic rifts between Ghana’s watchdogs and businesses, fueled by vague rules sparking bully-like tactics. With outcry swelling, GNAPS commits to brokering talks and urging state action to defend learning hubs without skimping on eco-rules.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku/Ahotoronline.com
