Church of Pentecost warns teachers against sexual abuse of female students

The Church of Pentecost’s Schools Outreach Ministry has issued a stern warning to educators to desist from the sexual harassment and exploitation of female students. Speaking during an event to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, the ministry emphasised the necessity for schools to remain safe havens for learning rather than grounds for predatory behaviour. This intervention comes in response to a disturbing report from the JoyNews Research Team, which documented dozens of abuse cases involving school staff across the country.

The JoyNews report cited by the ministry revealed 44 documented cases of sexual abuse involving teachers since 2015. Alarmingly, the data indicated that school heads were implicated in 40% of these incidents. Rev. Joseph Buertey, representing the ministry, reminded teachers of their primary responsibility to protect and empower their pupils. "You are there to teach these girls, you are there to empower them, you are there to build a future. You are not there to exploit them," he stated, warning that any staff member found engaging in misconduct would face severe legal repercussions.

Beyond the warning to staff, the outreach event advocated for a more inclusive approach to gender-based safety. The ministry called for the active involvement of boys in discussions regarding the education and safety of girls to foster a culture of mutual respect within the school system. Students present at the event, including Celestine Kporfor, highlighted the critical role that girls' education plays in national development, arguing that a secure environment is essential for their academic and personal growth.

The Church of Pentecost initiative aims to curb the rising trend of misconduct within educational institutions by reinforcing the moral and legal obligations of staff. By addressing both the systemic issues of accountability and the cultural aspects of school safety, the ministry seeks to ensure that every girl can pursue her education without fear of harassment. The outreach underscores a growing national demand for stricter enforcement of child protection policies and professional ethics in Ghanaian schools.