Regional News of Friday, 13 November 2015

Source: GNA

Teacher’s action incurs the wrath of four communities

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A Junior High School (JHS) teacher’s action to discipline a student for her alleged saucy attitude towards him, has incurred the wrath of four communities which joined forces to storm the school’s premises and reportedly assaulted the teacher amid scenes of mayhem.

Mr. Emmanuel Adu, the teacher who handles mathematics and ICT at Agyei Kwadwo JHS at Agyarko-Buoho in the Afigya-Kwabre District, where the incident happened, was said to have been brutally assaulted for caning Doris Pokuaa, said to have insulted the teacher for asking her to pay attention in class.

An eye witness told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on conditions of anonymity that one of the teachers, Frank Yeboah collapsed when he was hit in the eye with a stick, while others sustained minor injuries.

According to the source Pokuaa also had cane marks on her body.

The source said the incident happened around 15:00 HRS on Tuesday November 10 when both the headmaster and his assistant had both gone out for a meeting.

Mr Adu then handling that class spotted Pokuaa playing and his advice to her to be attentive seemed to have provoked the girl who allegedly insulted the teacher in the full glare of the entire class.

Extremely angered by this untoward behavior, Mr. Adu reportedly caned the teenager to instill some discipline in her and in apparent reaction, she reportedly sneaked from the school to report the matter to her parents.

The source said moments later whiles classes was still in section, a mob from the Agyarko - Buoho community and other three neighbours namely; Atrama, (where the girl comes from), Ampabame and Brofoyeduru, led by four persons including Pokuaa and armed with iron rods, cutlasses, sticks and stones, besieged the school compound.

Heading straight to Pokuaa’s class, the mob pounced on Mr Adu and assaulted him ruthlessly, after she pointed at him.

The source said other colleague teachers completely at bay for what was happening, rushed to the scene and had a hectic time trying to free Mr Adu from the grips of the assailants, and in the struggle, the teachers also had some casualties.

They managed to whisk him off to the staff common room after a fierce resistance since the crowd had massed up and blocked the two entrances brandishing cutlasses and insisting that Mr. Adu is handed over to them, the source said.

A report was made to the Kodie District Police who issued two medical forms to Mr. Adu and Mr. Yeboah, now having a black-eye to attend Hospital.

When contacted Deputy Commander of Police (DSP) Ebenezer Benson, the District Commander confirmed that a report had been lodged and they are waiting for the two gentlemen to return the medical forms before their statements can be taken to pave way for investigations to begin.

Madam Stella Ofori Atta, the District Education Director told the GNA that when the news got to her this morning, she had held a meeting with the Assemblyman, Unit Committee members, the headmaster and opinion leaders and demanded of them to intervene in the matter.

He said she had also asked them to assure the teachers of their safety before she could allow them to go back to teach.