Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak has cautioned education directors against protecting teachers and headteachers accused of sexual abuse, warning that officials who conceal such incidents will be held responsible.
His warning follows allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, which have sparked renewed calls for accountability and a comprehensive investigation into how sexual abuse complaints are handled within the education sector.
Dr. Apaak emphasised that all allegations of sexual abuse involving students must be reported without delay. He further directed that individuals accused of such offences must be removed from contact with learners while investigations are ongoing.
He made these remarks at the 33rd Conference of Directors of Education, held at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Referring to the allegations against the headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, the Deputy Minister said he would not comment on the details of a case that was, or should be, under investigation.
Dr. Apaak stressed that reports of sexual abuse must never be suppressed in an attempt to protect a school’s reputation or shield an accused individual from scrutiny.
He noted that complaints raised by students or parents must be treated with the seriousness they deserve rather than being quietly managed to avoid negative publicity for the institution.
The Deputy Minister urged education directors to respond swiftly and appropriately whenever allegations of sexual abuse emerge, stressing that no accused person should receive preferential treatment because of their position, seniority or influence within the community.
Dr. Apaak cautioned education directors against shielding teachers accused of sexual abuse from accountability, stressing that doing so would put more children at risk and make the officials themselves complicit in concealing the abuse.
He emphasised that the Ministry expected all directors to adhere strictly to established reporting procedures and ensure that accused individuals were kept away from learners while investigations were underway.
Issuing a firm directive, the Deputy Minister said every allegation of sexual abuse must be reported promptly through the appropriate channels, warning that directors who failed to fulfil this responsibility would be held accountable.
Dr. Apaak further stressed that the safety and welfare of learners must always take priority over protecting adults accused of violating the trust placed in them.
He maintained that safeguarding children was a fundamental responsibility of schools and that no education official had the discretion to ignore or negotiate the enforcement of such measures.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks 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 education directors to ensure that the Ministry’s policies and directives were effectively implemented at the district, circuit and school levels, noting that their leadership played a critical role in protecting learners and improving educational outcomes.
