Police in Bosome Freho in the Ashanti Region say some teachers are allegedly contributing to drug use in schools by secretly selling the substances to students, without the knowledge of school authorities.

According to the police, this is fueling the growing trend of drug abuse among students.

The District Police Commander, ASP Fatawu Zakaria, described the situation as deeply troubling and called for urgent action to address the issue.   

“It is sad to note that some of our teachers are facilitating these acts, helping the students to engage in drug use. Some teachers are selling drugs on our campuses,” ASP Zakaria said.

ASP Zakaria added that while some teachers are aware of their colleagues' involvement in illegal activity, they are reluctant to report them.

He noted that in some cases, reports are only made to education directors who try to handle the issue diplomatically.

“This is criminal,” he stressed, urging teachers to report such activities directly to the police.

“Please come to the police station,” he appealed, but advised that such reports should be made directly to the police commander rather than at the front desk to ensure confidentiality and safety.

“Please, don’t come and report at the counter. I can’t guarantee your safety. Go and confide in the commander,” he emphasised, adding that this is the only way he can ensure the reporting teacher is protected from any possible attack.

He made the remarks at the 7th Quadrennial District Delegates’ Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), held in Asiwa, the district capital.

At the event, new district executives were elected to lead GNAT for the next four years.

However, the GNAT District Chairman, Daniel Acheamfour, refuted the claims, stating that no such incidents had been reported in the district.

“We have not recorded any cases of students threatening teachers or teachers selling drugs to students,” Mr. Acheamfour said. “What we often deal with here is absenteeism, which is quite common,” he added.

Mr. Acheamfour urged teachers to desist from such acts, if any exist, and encouraged them to continue demonstrating professionalism and remain committed to grooming students with integrity and sound moral values.

Touching on security and safety of teachers, ASP Zakaria, urged them to be cautious and security-conscious, warning that student attacks on teachers are becoming more frequent in some parts of the country.

He explained that for a crime to happen, three elements must be present: an attractive target (e.g., a mobile phone), a motivated offender (often under the influence of drugs), and a convenient location.

“Such individuals, especially those using drugs, will always strike at the most convenient time and place,” he cautioned, urging teachers to avoid situations that could expose them to attacks.

GNAT District Chairman Acheamfour also took the opportunity to appeal to the government to implement the long-promised "deprived area allowance" to incentivise teachers working in under-resourced areas like Bosome Freho.

“When this is done, it will encourage more teachers to accept postings to deprived communities, thereby improving teaching and learning,” he said.