By Joyce Katam Kolamon
The Bereaved families of the nine JHS Pupils who lost their lives in the canoe disaster November 12, 2021 have sent a plea to President Akufo-Addo to temper Justice with mercy in meting out punishment to the Headteacher at the center of the incident.
According to the families, the HeadTeacher, Emmanuel Chingna, did not deliberately commit the crime since he never meant to harm the children. A representative of the bereaved families, Jesse Ngulbi Nyinmakan, made the plea when the Director-General of GES, Prof. Opoku Amankwah and the Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour led a delegation to Saboba to commiserate with the families and the people of Saboba for their loss.
For his response, the Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, said the incident is an unfortunate one however, the President cannot interfere with the law as it, ”must take its course”.
Emmanuel Chingna, 35, Headteacher of the St. Charles Lwanga R/CJHS, who was arrested in connection with the drowning of nine pupils of the school in the Saboba District of the Northern region, has been charged with manslaughter by the Tamale District Court. The case has been adjourned to the 29th of November, 2021.