Parents, teachers, and students in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region are up in arms after the District Director of Education, Mr. George Asira, abruptly barred students from participating in a regional inter-district sports competition held in the Kassena Nankana Municipality.

The decision has sparked widespread outrage, with stakeholders accusing Mr. Asira of stifling student talent and failing to provide proper accountability for funds allocated to support extracurricular activities.

The backlash follows growing concerns over Mr. Asira’s leadership style, which some educators and parents have described as “Mugabeous”—a reference to the authoritarian rule of the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

At the centre of the controversy are allegations of financial mismanagement.

Parents claim that a fundraising effort launched three years ago to support school sports programmes has not been properly accounted for.

In addition, sources say the Bolgatanga East District Assembly contributed GH¢2,000 towards the sports competition, yet students were still denied participation.

The total cost for the district’s participation in the event was pegged at GH¢8,500.

However, despite teachers and sports coordinators offering to forgo their allowances to make up the shortfall, Mr. Asira reportedly slashed the number of student athletes from 176 to just 34, and later withdrew most of the teams altogether.

According to one frustrated teacher who requested anonymity, weeks of preparation were wasted when students were informed—on the day of departure—that their trip had been cancelled.

“We had gathered at the district office, bags packed and ready, when word came that the director could no longer support the trip,” the teacher said.

“Some students had even been escorted by their parents. The disappointment was overwhelming.”

Only the handball and netball teams were eventually allowed to compete, leaving many students disheartened.

Efforts to reach Mr. Asira for a response were unsuccessful, as he claimed to be in a meeting and declined to comment.

His silence has only intensified public frustration.

Parents and education stakeholders are now calling on the Ghana Education Service and the Upper East Regional Directorate to launch an immediate investigation into the matter.

“This is not just about playing games,” said one concerned parent.

“It’s about creating opportunities for these children—many of whom come from deprived communities—to shine and build confidence.

We cannot keep failing them.”