The recent unfolding events that have provoked conversation about child sexual abuse, especially in our schools, should compel every Ghanaian to reflect deeply on the society we are becoming.
Beyond the allegations, the investigations and the public outrage lies a more disturbing question: what happens to a society when adults who should protect children become more concerned about protecting suspects, preserving reputations and avoiding embarrassment than securing justice for victims?
Child sexual abuse can leave deep emotional and psychological wounds, including fear, shame, anxiety, depression and difficulty trusting others. Some children struggle academically, withdraw from relationships or experience lasting physical and emotional harm.
These consequences can follow them into adulthood, affecting their relationships, education, employment and well-being.
Yet, the damage is rarely confined to the child.
Other children are watching.
When allegations of abuse are ignored or settled privately, children learn that it is pointless to report abuse, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is influential or respected. Silence only creates opportunities for abuse to continue.
Families, too, bear a heavy burden. Parents may struggle with guilt, anger and helplessness.
Some face intimidation, stigma or pressure to withdraw complaints. When this happens, families are forced to fight not only for their children but also against a system that should protect them.
Society pays an even wider price.
Abuse erodes trust in schools, religious institutions, traditional authorities and public institutions.
It creates the perception that powerful individuals are untouchable and vulnerable children expendable.
The normalisation of silence weakens our collective conscience.
For Ghana, the cost is enormous.
We risk the health, education, confidence and productive potential of children who should become the capable adults of tomorrow.
No nation can sustainably develop while failing to protect its children.
What has our society become when we negotiate with the consequences of abuse instead of confronting the abuse itself?
Or is it the norm that respect for authority is equated with unquestioning loyalty?
Our permissiveness has consequences.
Every ignored warning, dismissed complaint and victim pressured into silence risks reinforcing a culture in which abuse can flourish, and that is exactly what is happening now.
Ghana must turn outrage into a clear process that leaves no room for concealment.
Adults must choose responsibility over reputation.
Irresponsibility is not only about fathers failing to provide for their children. It describes the attitude of adults and public office holders whose job includes ensuring children are safe, yet fail to do so.
Parents must listen.
Teachers must not make light of these matters.
Ghana Education Service (GES) must dedicate a whole department to safeguarding.
There should be an independent body to supervise this responsibility.
Traditional and religious leaders must refuse to broker silence on crimes committed. Public officials must resist pressure to interfere.
Citizens and journalists must demand accountability,
Private reconciliation, apologies or financial settlements must never be used to obstruct criminal investigations or shield anyone from lawful accountability.
Parents send their children to school to learn, grow, discover their potential and prepare to become responsible adults who can fulfil their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.
They do not send them there to serve as domestic workers in teachers’ homes, to be exploited, abused or have their futures shattered by the very people entrusted with their care and protection in loco parentis.
A school should be a place where dreams are nurtured, not destroyed, and where those entrusted with children’s welfare should protect them, never prey on them.
Such a contradiction in outcome is an affront to the rights of children and should never be handled with kid gloves.
Sexual abuse is a crime in Ghanaian law.
Our children are not bargaining chips.
Their suffering is not an inconvenience to be managed.
Their protection is not a favour we grant when it is comfortable.
It is our duty. Let us not disappoint.
The Writer is a Child development expert/ Fellow of the Zero-To-Three Academy, USA.
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