The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Wassa West area has condemned what it describes as the brutal assault and molestation of some teachers and residents of Adiewoso in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality by military personnel.
According to the union, the incident followed a confrontation between suspected illegal miners and soldiers from the 2BN military base at Apremdo-Takoradi on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Reports indicate that the military personnel had earlier visited Adiewoso on behalf of Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) to stop illegal mining activities within the company’s rubber plantation located near the community. The operation reportedly led to a clash between the soldiers and some illegal miners before the military officers returned to their barracks.
However, residents were later shocked when military personnel allegedly returned to the town in the early hours of Thursday, April 30, where they reportedly assaulted several residents, particularly young men.
GNAT said the assault also affected three teachers of the Adiewoso M/A Basic School, including the headteacher, Mr. Ansah Acheampong, as well as the husband of one of the female teachers who had visited the school.
According to the teachers, they identified themselves as educators and even presented their GNAT membership identity cards to the soldiers, but their pleas were ignored.
The military officers reportedly told the teachers that they should advise residents against engaging in illegal mining activities within the GREL plantation.
Addressing the media at a press conference, the Wassa West Vice Chairman of GNAT, Mr. Daniel Mensah, described the alleged treatment meted out to the teachers and innocent residents as unfortunate, inhumane and unacceptable.
He stressed that while GREL has every right to seek protection for its concession and properties from illegal mining activities, innocent people and professionals within the community should not be subjected to abuse.
GNAT maintained that law enforcement officers should have identified and dealt specifically with individuals involved in illegal mining instead of allegedly attacking innocent residents and teachers who had no connection to the activities.
The association is therefore calling on the Minister for the Interior, the Defence Chief of Army Staff, the Western Regional Coordinating Council, the Commander of 2BN Apremdo-Takoradi, the Western and Western Central Regional Police Commands, district police authorities, as well as the management of GREL, to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
According to the union, all persons found culpable should be made to face the laws of Ghana.
GNAT 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 promptly visiting the affected teachers and showing support following the incident.
Some executives of the association also addressed the media during the press conference, while the headteacher of Adiewoso M/A Basic School, Mr. Ansah Acheampong, recounted his experience and the alleged assault he suffered during the operation.