Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has warned education directors against shielding teachers and headteachers accused of sexual abuse, insisting that officials who conceal such cases will be held accountable.
His comments follow allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, a case that has triggered calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into how reports of abuse are handled within the education system.
He said every allegation of sexual abuse involving learners must be reported promptly, while accused persons must be removed from contact with students as investigations proceed.
Dr. Apaak gave the directive when he addressed the 33rd Conference of Directors of Education at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
“You are aware of the allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. I will not discuss the specifics of a matter that is, or ought to be, under investigation,” he said.
The Deputy Minister stressed that reports of sexual abuse must not be treated as matters to be handled quietly to protect the reputation of a school or the accused person.
“When a child or a parent reports sexual abuse by a teacher or a headteacher, that report is not an inconvenience to be managed quietly. It is not a reputational risk to the school that must be contained,” he stated.
He urged directors to act promptly whenever such allegations arise, regardless of the accused person’s seniority or standing in the community.
“Do not shield any teacher from the consequences of credible allegations in the mistaken belief that you are protecting the system. You are not. You are endangering the next child, and you are endangering yourself, because a Director who conceals abuse is not a bystander to it,” Dr. Apaak warned.
He added that the Ministry expected all education directors to follow the proper reporting procedures and ensure that accused persons were separated from learners while investigations continued.
“I say this to you as a direct instruction from the Ministry: every allegation of sexual abuse must be reported promptly through the proper channels. Every accused person must be removed from contact with learners while investigations proceed. And every Director who fails in this duty will be held to account,” he said.
Dr. Apaak maintained that protecting learners must take precedence over protecting adults accused of betraying that responsibility.
“This is not optional, and it is not negotiable. Our schools exist to protect children, not to protect adults who betray that protection,” he added.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at a conference held under the theme, “From Policy to Classroom: District Leadership for Quality Learning Outcomes and 21st Century Skills for National Development.”
He urged directors to translate Ministry directives into action at the district, circuit and school levels, stressing that their leadership was essential to safeguarding learners and improving educational outcomes.
ActionAid Ghana seeks justice and repair for 19 Obuasi SHTS Girls allegedly abused by Headmaster
