A teacher claims one or two educators in nearly every school engage in sexual misconduct, leaving students vulnerable.
A teacher at Ekumpoano Catholic Basic School, Stephen Desu, has alleged that sexual misconduct by teachers is pervasive across Ghana’s educational institutions. He stated that the issue has persisted for years, with one or two teachers in almost every school reportedly involved in such behavior. Desu warned that a failure to address this problem decisively could leave students at risk of abuse.
Desu elaborated that the problem is not limited to senior high schools but also exists at primary and junior high levels, though he noted it is more severe at the senior high level. He suggested that some teachers view postings to senior high schools as an opportunity to engage in predatory sexual behavior. These comments were made during a discussion on Joy News’ PM Express concerning allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
The teacher attributed the ongoing problem to the Ghana Education Service's (GES) perceived failure to act decisively against sexual misconduct. He argued that a lack of punishment for wrongdoing encourages repetition and imitation. Desu called for a more robust response from education authorities to protect students and handle complaints effectively, especially in light of recent scrutiny following the Obuasi SHTS allegations.
Why it mattersStudents are at risk of sexual abuse due to alleged widespread misconduct by teachers in schools across Ghana.
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