The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has declared zero tolerance for any assault or brutalisation of teachers nationwide, warning that schools could be closed if attacks on their members persist.

The announcement was made at the 54th National Delegates Conference held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), where GNAT president, Reverend Isaac Owusu emphasised the urgent need for a safe and secure working environment for teachers.

“There is an urgent need on the part of the employer to make the workplace of teachers safe and secure. Your Excellency, of late, teachers risk being attacked and assaulted by individuals or groups of persons, including students in the community,” he said.

Reverend Owusu recalled the 2025 killing of Yahaya Bukari, a teacher at Garu Primary School in the Upper East Region, highlighting the dangers teachers face while protecting their students.

“A recent example, Your Excellency, is the shooting incident that occurred in the Garu district of the Upper East Region. Your Excellency, the late Yahya Bukhari was a teacher and a GNAT member who was a district treasurer of the good people of Garu district and was shot dead in line of duty,” he said.

He described how the teacher’s actions saved students’ lives.

“Your Excellency, but for the intervention of this teacher, a lot of schoolchildren could have been killed because when these unknown men were shooting, the children were on break time and were playing. So this innocent teacher rallied the children to get into the classroom, and unfortunately, he died this peaceful death. But until today, we have not heard anything from the employer,” Reverend Owusu added.

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He also drew attention to the human cost of the incident.

“Your Excellency, with the greatest of respect, we have all the 16 regions represented here. If for nothing at all, this one, Yahya Bukhari, left a wife and four children,” he said.

In the same vein, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has pledged full support for GNAT in such circumstances.

“I want to assure each and every person in this room that the Trade Union Congress, and for that matter organised labour in this country, will support any action that will be taken by GNAT and teachers in this country when a teacher is assaulted.” TUC's Secretary General Joshua Ansah said.

He reiterated, "I repeat, the Trade Union Congress of Ghana and workers of this country and organised labour will support and solidarise with GNAT if any teacher is assaulted in this country."

He concluded with a reminder of the importance of prioritising teachers’ welfare.

“Seek ye the welfare of teachers first, and all other things shall be added unto you.”