Following the recent media report and allegations of sexual abuse of some female students at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region, the Zonta Clubs of Ghana have called on the Ministry of Education to protect girls and hold sexual abusers accountable.
Zonta in a press statement indicated that the sexual abuse of girls — minors entrusted to the care of schools — by some male teachers and headteachers is a "grave betrayal of trust, authority, and the fundamental duty of care."
It said schools must be places of safety, learning, and opportunity, not environments where girls are exploited, violated, and robbed of their childhood by the very people charged with protecting them.
It therefore asked the Ministry of Education to act decisively, urgently, and without fear or favour.
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Attached below is a full copy of the Zonta press statement
PRESS RELEASE
NO MORE SILENCE. NO MORE COVER‑UPS.
TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: PROTECT OUR GIRLS. HOLD SEXUAL ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE.
The sexual abuse of girls — minors entrusted to the care of schools — by some male teachers and headteachers is a grave betrayal of trust, authority, and the fundamental duty of care.
Schools must be places of safety, learning, and opportunity, not environments where girls are exploited, violated, and robbed of their childhood by the very people charged with protecting them.
The Ministry of Education must act decisively, urgently, and without fear or favour.
Any teacher or headteacher found to have abused a child must face immediate dismissal and prosecution under Ghana’s child protection and criminal laws.
Allegations must be investigated promptly, perpetrators must not be shielded by institutional positions or professional connections, and school authorities who conceal abuse or retaliate against survivors must also be held accountable.
ZONTA DEMANDS:
- Zero tolerance for sexual abuse of children in all educational institutions.
- Swift, independent investigations into reported cases, with due process and appropriate sanctions.
- Immediate protection and psychosocial support for survivors, without victim‑blaming, intimidation, or retaliation.
- Accountability at every level, including school leadership and officials who fail to act on credible reports.
- Stronger safeguarding systems, confidential reporting channels, and regular monitoring of schools.
1 LET THIS BE CLEAR: A TEACHER’S POSITION IS NOT A LICENCE TO EXPLOIT A CHILD, AND A HEADMASTER’S AUTHORITY IS NOT A SHIELD AGAINST JUSTICE
Every survivor deserves justice, dignity, and support — not silence or retaliation.
The Ministry of Education must move beyond condemnation and demonstrate, through concrete action, that the safety of Ghana’s children is non‑negotiable.
PROTECT THE CHILD. EXPOSE THE ABUSE. ENFORCE THE LAW.
ZONTA SAYS NO TO SEXUAL ABUSE.
Our girls deserve teachers who nurture their dreams — not adults who destroy them.
