Headteacher, Three Others Allegedly Assaulted By Soldiers At Adiewoso.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Wassa West area has condemned what it describes as the brutal assault of a headteacher and three other civilians by military personnel from the 2BN Barracks at Apremdo in the Western Region.
Addressing the media at a press conference, the Wassa West Vice Chairman of GNAT, Mr. Daniel Mensah, said the incident occurred at Adiewoso in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality following tensions linked to illegal mining activities within a rubber plantation belonging to Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) at Agona Nkwanta.
According to him, soldiers were initially deployed on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to halt illegal mining activities in the GREL plantation near the community.
The operation reportedly resulted in a confrontation between the military and some suspected illegal miners before the soldiers withdrew.
However, residents were later shocked when military personnel allegedly returned to the town in the early hours of Thursday, April 30, and subjected several residents, particularly young men, to severe beatings and other forms of molestation.
Mr. Mensah stated that three teachers from the Adiewoso M/A Basic School, including the headteacher, Mr. Ansah Acheampong, and the husband of one of the female teachers, were among those allegedly assaulted.
He explained that despite identifying themselves as teachers and presenting their GNAT identity cards, the military personnel allegedly ignored their pleas and assaulted them.
GNAT described the actions of the soldiers as unfortunate, inhumane and barbaric, stressing that innocent professionals should not suffer because of the activities of illegal miners in the community.
The association maintained that while GREL has the right to protect its concession from destruction through legal means and security support, innocent residents and teachers must not become victims of military operations.
GNAT is therefore calling on the Interior Minister, the Chief of Army Staff, the Western Regional Coordinating Council, the Police Service and the management of GREL to collaborate and conduct a full investigation into the incident to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The association also commended the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Hon. Issah Taylor, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ebenezer Cobbinah, and the Municipal Director of Education, Ms. Catherine Andoh Mensah, for visiting the affected teachers and showing support.
Some executive members of GNAT also shared their concerns with the media over the incident.
Meanwhile, the headteacher of Adiewoso M/A Basic School, Mr. Ansah Acheampong, who was allegedly assaulted during the operation, also narrated his experience at the press conference.
Story by Nana Fynn@W/R.
