Deputy Education Minister warns Directors against concealing sexual abuse

The Deputy Minister for EducationDr. Clement Abas Apaak has warned district education directors against concealing sexual abuse allegations involving teachers, insisting that offenders must face accountability and learners receive protection.

Addressing the 33rd Conference of Directors of Education at GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Deputy Minister stressed that reports of sexual abuse involving teachers and headteachers must be handled promptly and through the appropriate channels.

Speaking on the theme, “From Policy to Classroom: District Leadership for Quality Learning Outcomes and 21st Century Skills for National Development,” he said education officials had a responsibility to protect learners and ensure that allegations were not ignored because of the status or relationships of accused persons.

“When a child or a parent reports sexual abuse by a teacher or a headteacher, that report is not an inconvenience to be managed quietly. It is not a reputational risk to the school that must be contained,” he said.

The Deputy Minister urged directors to treat every report seriously, warning that delays and attempts to protect accused persons could expose other learners to harm.

He cautioned education officials against allowing personal relationships, professional connections or the position of an accused person to influence their handling of abuse allegations.

“Do not shield any teacher from the consequences of credible allegations in the mistaken belief that you are protecting the system,” he said.

“You are not. You are endangering the next child, and you are endangering yourself, because a Director who conceals abuse is not a bystander to it.”

The Deputy Minister made the remarks while referring to allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. He declined to discuss the specifics of the case, noting that it was a matter that should be investigated.

He, however, used the issue to remind directors across the country of the need to establish and enforce procedures that protect learners and ensure that allegations of abuse receive the necessary attention.

He directed that all allegations of sexual abuse must be reported promptly through the appropriate channels and that accused persons must be removed from contact with learners while investigations proceed.

According to him, directors who fail to fulfil their responsibilities in handling such cases would be held accountable.

“This is not optional, and it is not negotiable,” he said, emphasising that the protection of learners must take precedence over concerns about the reputation of schools or individuals.

He further urged directors to strengthen safeguarding measures in their districts and ensure that school administrators respond appropriately whenever allegations of abuse emerge.

He said the government’s commitment to improving education must go beyond academic performance to include the safety and welfare of learners.

“Our schools exist to protect children, not to protect adults who betray that protection,” he stated.