Armed Forces SHTS Teachers Issue 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Brutal Attack on Female Colleague

A wave of anger and fear has gripped the Armed Forces Senior High Technical School (AFSHTS) in Kumasi following a shocking incident in which a female teacher, Madam Rita, was brutally assaulted by two armed Military Police officers reportedly acting in concert with individuals alleged to be loyal to the embattled Headmaster, Colonel Godwin Agbekey. The attack, which occurred on the school premises during normal working hours, has provoked widespread outrage among teachers and educational unions, prompting the staff to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the relevant authorities to act or face lawful industrial action.

According to eyewitness accounts, the two armed Military Police officers stormed the school on Monday, October 28, 2025, accompanied by a small group of staff members said to be aligned with the ousted headmaster. Their mission, reportedly, was to forcibly compel Madam Rita to make a statement in support of Col. Agbekey’s alleged bid for illegal reinstatement as headmaster. The move comes despite his removal from office following investigations by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the military high command over allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, and gross misconduct.

The assault took place in the presence of several senior staff and education union officials, including Assistant Head (Administration) Mr. Afari Yeboah, Assistant Head (Domestic) Madam Harriet Hedoti, and key NAGRAT leaders such as Mr. Baba Atindana (Regional Secretary) and Mr. Ibrahim Tanko (Metro Chairman). Witnesses described the act as “barbaric, dehumanizing, and criminal,” noting that it has left staff members traumatized and fearful for their safety.

Teachers say this violent act is not an isolated incident but part of a larger campaign of intimidation allegedly masterminded by Col. Agbekey to retain influence over the school even after his removal. Reports indicate that the embattled headmaster has consistently used Military Police officers, particularly Warrant Officer Class 1 Akpotome Foli, to harass and threaten teachers who question his authority. In one earlier instance, Mr. Aboagye, a teacher in the Applied Electricity Department, reportedly suffered similar intimidation.

Teachers residing on campus also allege that accommodation has been weaponized as a tool of harassment, with some being given as little as 48 hours to vacate their residences without due process. According to them, these acts of intimidation are frequently carried out by junior officers from Col. Agbekey’s own ethnic group, deepening divisions and fear among the school community. The recent attempt to distribute forms through one Mr. Nelson Aheto—allegedly to identify teachers loyal to the ousted headmaster—was met with fierce resistance from the staff, forcing a swift withdrawal of the initiative.

In a strongly worded press statement jointly signed by members of NAGRAT, GNAT, CCT, and TEWU, the teachers and non-teaching staff have declared Col. Godwin Agbekey persona non-grata on the school premises. They insist that his continued presence represents a serious threat to peace, security, and the safety of staff and students. The statement further accuses the military officer of creating a climate of fear and militarization within an academic environment meant for learning and discipline.

The teachers have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to publicly dissociate the Ghana Armed Forces from the unlawful actions of the Military Police and to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officers involved. They have also called on the Ghana Education Service to immediately enforce the decision removing Col. Agbekey from office and to ensure his complete withdrawal from the school.

Additionally, they are demanding a joint investigation by the Ministries of Defence and Education to unearth the full details of the attack, identify accomplices, and recommend appropriate sanctions. They have also appealed to the Ghana Police Service and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to take up the assault case to ensure justice for Madam Rita and other affected teachers.

In a stern warning, the staff emphasized that any further attempt to harass, assault, or intimidate any teacher will be met with lawful resistance. They cautioned that their patience should not be mistaken for weakness and vowed to take appropriate legal and professional steps if authorities fail to act within the stipulated timeframe.

“We will not stand by while our colleagues are terrorized and our professional space is militarized,” the statement read. “The Headmaster has created an environment of fear, and the Military Police have been weaponized against educators. We demand immediate action to restore peace and order.”

The staff reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, peace, and quality education, but stressed that they would not compromise their dignity, safety, or integrity. They called on the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, and all relevant institutions to act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating into a national embarrassment.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Education Service have yet to issue official statements regarding the alleged assault and the demands made by the staff of Armed Forces Senior High Technical School.

SIGNED:

For and on behalf of the Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff of AFSHTS, Kumasi

1. Mr. Baba Atindana – NAGRAT Regional Secretary

2. Mr. Ibrahim Tanko – NAGRAT Metro Chairman

3. Madam Harriet Hedoti – Assistant Head, Domestic

4. Mr. Afari Yeboah – Assistant Head, Administration

5. Mr. Aboagye – Applied Electricity Department

6. Mr. Nelson Aheto – Teaching Staff Representative

7. Mr. Kwame Owusu – GNAT Local Chairman

8. Madam Esther Boamah – CCT Local Secretary

9. Mr. Daniel Adu-Gyamfi – TEWU Local Chairman

10. All Concerned Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff of AFSHTS

Contacts for Media Enquiries:

NAGRAT Representative: 055 378 0073

GNAT Office – AFSHTS Branch: 024 668 9412

CCT Local Chairman: 020 545 3887

TEWU Secretary: 026 301 7749

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