Dr. Apaak warns education directors against shielding abusive teachers

Deputy Minister of Education Dr Clement Apaak has warned education directors against shielding teachers and headteachers accused of sexual abuse, directing them to report all allegations promptly and ensure that accused persons are kept away from learners while investigations are ongoing.

He cautioned that officials who conceal reports of abuse or fail to follow established reporting procedures would be held accountable, stressing that protecting learners must take priority over safeguarding the reputations of schools or accused staff members.

Dr Apaak’s remarks follow allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, a case that has renewed concerns about the handling of abuse reports within Ghana’s education system.

Addressing the 33rd Conference of Directors of Education at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, the Deputy Minister said he would not discuss the specifics of the Obuasi case because it was, or ought to be, under investigation.

“You are aware of the allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. I will not discuss the specifics of a matter that is, or ought to be, under investigation,” he said.

Dr Apaak stressed that allegations of sexual abuse involving learners must not be treated as internal administrative matters to be quietly managed to protect a school’s image.

He said every report from a child or parent must be taken seriously and referred promptly through the appropriate channels.

“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 stated.

The Deputy Minister urged education directors to act decisively whenever such allegations arise, regardless of the accused person's seniority, professional position or standing in the community.

He warned that shielding an accused teacher could expose other learners to potential harm and make the responsible officials accountable for failing to act.

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

The Deputy Minister said the Ministry of Education expected directors to comply with reporting procedures and take steps to prevent accused persons from having contact with learners while investigations continued.

He described the directive as a direct instruction from the Ministry and warned that failure to comply would attract accountability measures.

“I say this to you as a direct instruction from the Ministry: every allegation of sexual abuse must be reported promptly through the proper channels. Every accused person must be removed from contact with learners while investigations proceed. And every director who fails in this duty will be held to account,” he said.

Dr Apaak maintained that the protection of children must remain the central responsibility of education authorities, adding that schools should prioritise learners’ safety over the interests of adults accused of abusing their positions.

“This is not optional, and it is not negotiable. Our schools exist to protect children, not to protect adults who betray that protection,” he added.

The Deputy Minister delivered the remarks at the conference held under the theme, “From Policy to Classroom: District Leadership for Quality Learning Outcomes and 21st Century Skills for National Development.”

He urged directors to ensure that Ministry policies and directives were implemented effectively at district, circuit and school levels.

Dr Apaak said the leadership of education directors was essential not only to improving learning outcomes but also to ensuring that schools remained safe environments for children.

His warning places renewed emphasis on the responsibility of education officials to respond promptly to abuse allegations, follow appropriate reporting procedures and protect learners while investigations are conducted.

The allegations involving the Obuasi Senior High Technical School headteacher remain allegations, and the case should be reported with that distinction unless confirmed findings are established.