Africa Education Watch calls for nationwide audit of school sexual misconduct

Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has called for an immediate nationwide audit of safeguarding systems in secondary schools across Ghana. This demand follows a series of sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), which has highlighted significant gaps in institutional oversight. The civil society organization is advocating for an independent investigation into reports that at least 16 female students were subjected to misconduct, stressing that the current situation exposes deep-seated vulnerabilities within the country’s educational framework.

Executive Director of Eduwatch, Kofi Asare, emphasized that the allegations at Obuasi SHTS are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of broader systemic weaknesses. Reports suggest that previous complaints regarding sexual harassment and misconduct were poorly handled, allowing abuses to persist. Eduwatch identified a lack of robust reporting mechanisms and a culture of silence that often protects perpetrators while marginalizing victims. The organization noted that the failure of school authorities to act decisively in the past has eroded trust in the safety of secondary education environments.

The call for action includes not only an audit but also strict disciplinary measures against any school officials found complicit in covering up or ignoring reports of abuse. Eduwatch is urging the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to prioritize the welfare of students by providing immediate psychological and legal support to the affected girls in Obuasi. Furthermore, the organization insists that the proposed nationwide audit must evaluate the effectiveness of existing child protection policies and the training provided to staff on sexual harassment protocols.

As documented abuses across multiple schools continue to surface, Eduwatch maintains that a comprehensive reform of safeguarding mechanisms is the only way to prevent future occurrences. By addressing the root causes of institutional failure and ensuring accountability at all levels, the organization believes Ghana can create a safer learning environment for all students. The outcome of the investigations into the Obuasi SHTS case is expected to set a precedent for how sexual misconduct is addressed in the educational sector moving forward.