Manfo teachers threaten strike action

Manfo (Ash), June 1, GNA - Teachers at Manfo in the Ahafo-Ano North District of Ashanti, have threatened to go on strike if the police did not arrest and prosecute a food vendor they alleged had polluted the drinking water of one of their colleagues with faeces, in a crude bid to forcibly eject him from her family house.

Afua Badu, the food vendor, is alleged to have vowed to use every means to throw out the teacher-tenant, Mr Martin Asiedu from her mother's house after a quarrel.

Mr John Maxwell Boakye-Yiadom, who acted as spokesperson for the troubled teachers, said their colleague returned to the house on Tuesday, May 24, after school only to discover that the water he had stored in a container for drinking had been polluted with human excreta, adding that, the teacher's towel had also been smeared with faeces. He said Mr Asiedu informed some elders of the town including the Krontihene, the Nkosuohene and the Chief Linguist, who went to the scene to see the unpleasant sight for themselves.

The teacher later lodged a formal complaint with the Manfo Police. Mr Boakye-Yiadom said the following day the teacher returned to the house with some school children to assist him pack out, but were assaulted by the people in the house.

Once again, a report was made to the police.

He said they found it baffling the seeming inaction of the police to arrest and put the suspects before court. Police Chief Inspector Boakye, the Manfo Station Officer, confirmed that Mr Asiedu had lodged formal complaints with them and said they were investigating.

Meanwhile, Nana Kwame Ntim II, Omanhene of Manfo Traditional Area, has called for calm among the teachers and assured them of adequate protection.

He said they should allow the law to take its course and avoid any action that could adversely affect education in the area.