The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has directed all teachers in the Garu District of the Upper East Region to withdraw from classrooms and flee for their safety following the fatal shooting of a headteacher, Yahaya Bukari, and three others on Monday.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, GNAT National President, Rev. Isaac Owusu described the attack as “heart-wrenching” and condemned the continued violence in parts of the Upper East Region.
“When we heard the news about the shooting, we were really shaken,” he said. “We don’t know why our brothers and sisters in Garu, Bunkpurugu, and Bawku cannot prioritise peace. And sadly, we don’t see what the government is doing to ensure lasting peace.”
Citing the Labour Act, the GNAT President stressed that safety at the workplace is a legal obligation of the employer.
“Section 118 mandates the employer to ensure the safety of employees. If the environment is unsafe, section 119 gives the employee the right to vacate for their own safety,” he explained.
He said, given the current insecurity in Garu, GNAT cannot guarantee the safety of any teacher and is therefore calling on all educators in the district to leave immediately.
“The withdrawal is not just from the Garu D/A School but across all schools in the district. We are asking our teachers to flee for their lives,” he declared.
He added that the slain headteacher, who served as GNAT’s District Treasurer and oversaw over 1,000 members, died protecting his pupils.
“He sacrificed his life for the children. But for his intervention, many more pupils might have died,” he said solemnly.
Rev. Owusu noted that the deceased teacher left behind a wife and three children and urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to immediately announce support measures for the bereaved family.
“Death is inevitable, but it is sad that someone will go to school to work and be killed in broad daylight. Others have been injured, yet no arrests have been made,” he lamented.
Rev. Owusu further appealed to President John Mahama to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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