President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern condemnation of the rising incidents of violence against educators, signaling a major policy shift toward the criminal prosecution of offenders.
Speaking at the National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the President expressed deep concern over the breakdown of discipline in schools and the culture of impunity surrounding the physical abuse of teachers. The address followed a series of high-profile attacks that have left the teaching fraternity in a state of mourning and fear.
“Indeed, I saw the video of the Math teacher being beaten because he refused to allow our students to cheat, and they had a sense of entitlement. The unfortunate thing is that the matter went to the police station, and the parents of the students went to the police, and they said they settled the matter amicably.
“How is that? This is assault. It is criminal. At least the children should have been booked, they should have been taken through the legal process, and at least if nothing at all, they should have been bonded to be of good behavior”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President’s remarks were heavily influenced by a viral incident from October 2025 involving a mathematics teacher at Kade Senior High School. The educator was reportedly assaulted by a group of students after he refused to permit examination malpractice.
President Mahama criticized the police and the parents involved in the Kade SHS case, asserting that assault is a criminal matter that should not be subject to “amicable settlements.”
He noted that the lack of formal booking or legal consequences for the students involved sends a dangerous signal to the youth that violence can be paid off. The President’s stance is that the state must take over the prosecution of such cases to serve as a deterrent and to uphold the dignity of the teaching profession.
This call for accountability comes at a time when teacher unions are demanding more than just verbal assurances. President Mahama emphasized that for the year 2026, the government will not tolerate “teacher brutality” and will ensure that any individual – student or parent – who lays a hand on a teacher faces the full rigors of the legal system.
GNAT Declares Zero Tolerance
The Ghana National Association of Teachers preceded the President’s firm stance with theirs, declaring 2026 as a year of “zero tolerance” for assaults on its members.
The GNAT President, Rev. Isaac Owusu, used the conference platform to highlight the tragic killing of Mr. Yahaya Bukari, the headteacher of Garu G/A Primary School. Mr. Bukari, who also served as the GNAT District Treasurer for Garu, was shot dead in October 2025 during an attack by gunmen.
Rev. Owusu lamented the slow response from the government and the employer regarding the welfare of the deceased’s family.
“He was shot dead in the line of duty. But for his intervention, a number of school children could have lost their lives. Yet, until today, we have not heard any response from the employer. Your Excellency, we are speaking on behalf of every single teacher in Ghana. For the year 2026, we are declaring zero tolerance for teacher assaults and brutality”
Rev. Isaac Owusu, GNAT President
The death of Mr. Bukari has become a rallying point for teachers who feel vulnerable while performing their duties. GNAT indicated that it will no longer remain silent while its members are targeted, calling for the immediate deployment of enhanced security measures in schools located in high-risk areas.
The union’s demand is clear: the state must treat the security of teachers as a national priority, particularly in volatile regions.
The convergence of the President’s executive commitment and GNAT’s union activism suggests a turning point in the management of school discipline. The President concluded his address by promising that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service would be directed to review disciplinary protocols.
The goal is to ensure that teachers are not only protected by the law but are also empowered to maintain academic integrity without fear of physical retaliation. As the 2026 academic year progresses, the focus remains on whether these pronouncements will translate into a safer environment for Ghana’s educators.
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