The National Association of Graduate Teachers has said the murder recently of a teacher in the Eastern Region demonstrates the precarious environment teachers work and live in.

“[Incidents] of attacks on Teachers have become one too many. Across the length and breadth of the country, Teachers who are sacrificing so much to educate our children are being abused and assaulted by miscreants and even, parents,” NAGRAT said in a press release Thursday, May 16.

George Somuah Bosompem, a teacher at Salvation Basic School in Asiakwa in the Eastern Region, was assaulted and murdered by some youth in the community following an altercation.

Police have arrested and charged the key suspects in the matter.

Security has also been beefed up in the community, although some teachers say they don’t feel safe working and living in the community.

NAGRAT wants the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to demonstrate that they care about teachers.

“Ghana must demonstrate that it cares about its Teachers. If we care about our children, we will care about their Teachers. Don’t kill us twice by keeping silent about this horrendous act. Don’t keep quiet because he is a Teacher,” NAGRAT reiterated.

Scroll down to read the full press release by NAGRAT

MURDER OF TEACHER

The National Association of Graduate Teachers condemns the gruesome murder of Mr. George Somuah Bosompem, a Teacher of Salvation Basic School in Asiakwa in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He was assaulted, brutalize and murdered by members of a community he is trying to enlighten. He was murdered in cold blood because he was protecting his school, a state property. The tragic demise of Mr. George Somuah Bosompem will no doubt traumatize the family. NAGRAT shares the pain of the widow and the family.

We share your grief in this difficult period. We stand with the Teachers of Asiakwa and indeed with all teachers of Ghana in this difficult time. The murder has brought to the fore the difficult and precarious conditions under which Teachers live and work. Incidence of attacks on Teachers have become one too many. Across the length and breadth of the country, Teachers who are sacrificing so much to educate our children are being abused and assaulted by miscreants and even, parents.

As a nation, our quest for quality education will be elusive until Teachers work in friendly and quality environments. Opinion leaders including Chiefs, Religious leaders, Assembly Members, etc. all have a responsibility to attract quality Teachers to their communities by creating safe and congenial environments. The Ghana Education Service must, through collaborative efforts with appropriate institutions, evolve measures to protect its workers.

We commend the law enforcement agencies for their swift response in arresting and putting the culprits before court. It is our expectation that justice will be delivered expeditiously to relieve the family of some of its pain and assure teachers of the support of the state. This is the time to demonstrate that we care. We know our brother cannot be brought back. But he has left behind a family. A family of wife, children and relatives as well as a family of Teachers.

The Teachers of Asiakwa are living in fear and the state must rise up to their defense. The GES and the Ministry of Education must demonstrate that they care about Teachers. Ghana must demonstrate that it cares about its Teachers. If we care about our children, we will care about their Teachers. Don’t kill us twice by keeping silent about this horrendous act. Don’t keep quiet because he is a Teacher.