Plan International Ghana has called for independent investigations and sweeping reforms in schools following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and the school's headmaster.
In a press release, the organisation said the allegations raise serious concerns about children's safety, the abuse of positions of trust and the effectiveness of safeguarding systems in Ghanaian schools. "A school must be a place of safety, learning and opportunity, not fear, exploitation or abuse," the statement said.
It stressed that every child has the right to learn in a safe environment and to be treated with dignity, noting that parents entrust schools and their leaders with their children's education and wellbeing. While welcoming investigations into the allegations, the organisation cautioned that the response must go beyond the possible dismissal or sanction of one person, adding that the process must establish the facts, protect affected students, examine institutional failures and prevent future abuse.
Six demands
Plan International Ghana outlined six actions it wants the government and relevant authorities to take.
First, it called for thorough, impartial and child-sensitive investigations, including a review of how earlier complaints were handled. Anyone found responsible, it said, must be held accountable in accordance with the law and due process.
It urged authorities to provide affected students with confidential, trauma-informed psychosocial and healthcare support, legal assistance and continued educational support. Their identities must be protected, and victim-blaming, stigma, intimidation and retaliation prevented.
The organisation demanded institutional accountability, asking for an investigation into whether school management or education officials ignored, mishandled or suppressed complaints. "Safeguarding failures must have consequences, regardless of an individual's position or influence," it said.
Fourth, it called for safe, confidential reporting channels for students and staff, together with enforced protections for teachers, students and whistle-blowers who report abuse.
It urged the enforcement of professional codes of conduct and mandatory safeguarding and professional-boundaries training for teachers and school leaders.
Finally, it proposed a national safeguarding review to examine how sexual abuse complaints are reported, investigated and resolved in schools, identify gaps in policies and laws, and implement a time-bound national action plan with clear accountability measures.
Appeal to authorities
The organisation urged the government of Ghana, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, law enforcement agencies and all relevant institutions to demonstrate their commitment to child protection through concrete action.
It warned against the matter fading from public attention. "This must not become another scandal that fades from public attention without justice or meaningful reform," the statement said, adding that dismissal alone cannot heal affected students or guarantee the safety of other children.
Appeal to media and public
Plan International Ghana also appealed to the media and the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected students, and to avoid circulating identifying information or sensationalising their experiences.
"No child should suffer in silence to protect an institution's reputation. No teacher should face retaliation for speaking up for a child. And no complaint concerning the safety of a child should be ignored," the organisation said.
Continued support
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders to implement targeted interventions strengthening child protection and safeguarding in schools nationwide.
These efforts, it said, aim to promote safe, inclusive and protective learning environments where every child is protected from abuse, exploitation, violence and all forms of harm. The allegations remain under investigation, and no findings have been made public.
