Tanodumasehene condemns assault on teacher

Tanodumase (Ash), April 15, GNA - Nana Agyare Boateng II, chief of Tanodumase near Nyinahin in the Atwima-Mponua district has condemned the assault on Mr Francis Aboteng, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher of Gyereso during a football match.

He cautioned the youth of the area against acts that tend to tarnish the image, credibility and reputation of the community and advised them to live within in the confines of the country's laws. Nana Boateng gave the warning at a meeting held with the Atwima-Nwabiagya district education directorate in reaction to the persistent assaults and threats on the lives of teachers posted to the area.

He pledged to ensure the adequate protection and safety of teachers in the area and implored the youth to desist from such unhealthy acts in future.

The perpetrator of the crime, Karim Yeboah, a 35-year-old farmer at Tanodumase, admitted the offence and apologised to the teacher, the chief, the education officers and the entire community. Mr Eddy Obeng-Darko, the District Director of Education, expressed concern about the increasing reports of assaults, threats and intimidation of teachers in some parts of the district and called for an immediate halt.

He said qualified and professional teachers are inadequate in the system and that the few dedicated and committed ones should be adequately encouraged, supported and motivated to perform better. Mr Obeng-Darko said teachers would in future be withdrawn from hostile communities and called on the community to seriously address the unfortunate incidence to forestall future occurrences.

In February this year, Karim Yeboah assaulted Mr Aboteng during a football match between Gyereso JSS and Tanodumase Islamic basic school until he fell unconscious and was rushed to Tanodumase health centre where he was admitted for some days.

Meanwhile, the case is being investigated by the Nyinahin police.