A coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing crisis of power abuse and sexual violence against female students in Ghanaian senior high schools.
In a joint press release, Act for Change & Transforming Men Movement, DUNK Grassroots, and No Limits Charity Organisation expressed deep concern over recent allegations involving the headteacher of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), who is reported to have sexually abused 19 female students.
The coalition commended investigative journalist Manasseh Azure for exposing the alleged abuse and called for a swift, independent, and transparent investigation by the Ghana Police Service. They stressed that the justice system must protect the victims rather than further victimising them.
”What is alleged at Obuasi is not just an abuse of power; it is a deep betrayal of trust,” the statement read. “A child goes to school to learn and to feel safe, not to be exploited by the very person expected to protect her, and when a child is allegedly silenced with money, it shows how fear and poverty can be used to keep a child quiet.”
Extending their support to the affected students and families, the groups urged state authorities to provide survivors with confidential, survivor-centred psychological, medical, and legal assistance to support their long-term recovery and education.
To prevent future occurrences, the coalition called for structural and legislative reforms, including the establishment of a national register to permanently bar convicted abusers from teaching, alongside a law criminalising any failure or delay by school officials in reporting abuse.
”No child should have to pay for their education with their dignity,” the coalition asserted, reiterating its commitment to offering counseling and legal guidance to vulnerable communities.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
