The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, as part of activities marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to address concerns about accountability in the education sector following recent incidents at Obuasi and Techiman schools.
Speaking at the announcement of nominees for the GJA Awards at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Monday, November 2, Mr Dwumfour cited the Obuasi Senior High Technical School controversy and the reported assault of a student at Techiman Senior High School as examples of impunity that require attention.
“The alleged sexual abuse of the SHS female student by the interdicted headmaster is deeply troubling. The GJA finds these allegations very shocking and calls for swift investigation into the matter by the relevant investigative agencies,” he said.
He further noted that the sanctions meted out to the culprit are not enough, calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Education Ministry and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure justice.
“We understand that Zakaria Abdulai, the alleged culprit, has been interdicted and has also resigned and abandoned his political journey. But that is not enough. We can’t just sit back and say that because he has resigned his position as the secretary or constituency secretary, that is all, that is enough. NDC is a democratic institution and they have a code of ethics or disciplinary code. They should invoke it immediately to sanction this culprit,” he said.
On the violent assault of the 17-year-old student by two teachers at Techiman Senior High School, he called on the Education Minister to ensure the issue is properly dealt with.
“What kind of impunity is happening in our education sector? We condemn this impunity in no uncertain terms and want to call on the Education Minister, the respected Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, to sit up. This cannot happen under his watch. We are confident that he can bring calm, serenity and discipline into our educational system,” he said.
The GJA President’s call places renewed focus on accountability, student protection and the responsibility of education authorities to address alleged misconduct within schools.
The Association says it is waiting for the outcome of the investigation into the case and is keenly monitoring where it ends.
They say the advocacy has been taken over by them and will not end, as it is their mandate to represent the marginalised as a constitutional mandate.
By Samuel Yeboah Adams
