Cattle knock down headmaster at School

Mr. Joseph K. Amankwah, Head teacher of Yaa Asantewaah Basic School, one of the 17 Asem clusters of schools, nearly met his death on Wednesday morning, when he was knocked down by invading cattle on the school premises.

The Asem cluster of schools, with a population of about 2,700 pupils has had no fence wall since 1946, as a result of which Fulani herdsmen graze their cattle there.

The compound also serves as a resting place and hideout for lunatics and marijuana smokers.

Last Wednesday morning, when the head teacher was going about his normal duties, a cow attacked him, and tossed Mr. Amankwah, 56, and landing heavily on the ground.

Mr. Amankwah is currently receiving treatment for pains in the neck and waist at the emergency ward of the Komfa Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Three students said to have been similarly knocked down by some cattle recently, when they were engaged in physical exercise in the school.

Meanwhile, teachers of' the Asem cluster of schools have threatened to lay down their chalk in a protest to press home their demand for adequate security for teachers and students.

According to the spokesperson, Mr. Owusu Bempah, Head master of Asem Boys Junior High School, since the schools premises are unfenced, Fulani herdsmen take advantage of the accessibility and send their cattle to graze.

He disclosed that the fencing was awarded on contract four years ago, but the contractor was stopped following the change of government.

The teachers said several notices had been addressed to concerned stakeholders to address the situation, but to no avail and, therefore, appealed TO THE Regional and Metro Directors of Education, as well as the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, and Samuel Sarpong and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Kweku Agyemang-Mensah to come to their aid and save the schools, teachers and students from invasion and encroachment.

They noted that a prompt responds to their demand would avert the reoccurrence of last Wednesday's incident and go a long way to save the teaching stuff and pupils from danger.