The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the government, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Ministry of Education to provide immediate support for the wife and three children of Yahaya Bukari, the headteacher who was killed in the recent shooting incident at Garu in the Upper East Region.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, GNAT National President Rev. Isaac Owusu said the association has dispatched a delegation to visit the bereaved family to commiserate with them and gather details of the funeral arrangements.
“The late teacher was buried in accordance with Islamic customs on Monday. We have sent a delegation to meet the family and express our condolences. But beyond that, the GES and the Ministry of Education must come out publicly to declare what kind of support they will give to the family,” he said.
Rev. Owusu expressed deep concern over the increasing violence in Garu and neighbouring areas, describing them as “war zones” where innocent civilians, including teachers, continue to suffer.
“We cannot understand why these shootings and killings keep escalating while innocent people are affected. When Major Mahama died in the line of duty, something was done for him; likewise, the helicopter crash victims. So in this case, the government must also honour Mr. Bukari for his sacrifice,” he lamented.
He added that GNAT would not encourage its members to return to classrooms in Garu until lasting peace and security are assured.
“If we always wait for people to die before security is heightened, then GNAT cannot ask our members to go to school,” he stressed.
Mr. Bukari, who also served as the GNAT district treasurer, reportedly died while protecting his pupils during the attack that claimed four lives and left several others injured.
Four armed men riding on two motorcycles stormed the town and began shooting indiscriminately close to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) office in the Upper East Region.
