Gender Data Ghana: Abolish Ghana GES Child Abuse Investigation Policy

• Gender Data Ghana (GDG) has called for the abolition of the Ghana Education Service (GES) policy that permits internal investigations of child abuse allegations and staff transfers.
• GDG argues the Ghana GES child abuse investigation policy is unconstitutional and redundant, as laws like the Children’s Act 1998 Ghana and Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution supersede policies.
• The Obuasi SHTS child abuse case highlighted the need for a coordinated government response and stronger child protection safeguards in schools.
• GDG proposes deploying independent social welfare officers in schools and adequately resourcing child protection agencies.
• The organization advocates for a comprehensive Ghana child protection policy reform and greater government and parliamentary commitment to ending child abuse.

Given that no policy can override either a national law and the Constitution, Gender Data Ghana asserts that the existing Ghana GES policy is not only redundant but potentially unconstitutional and, therefore, must be abrogated.

Gender Data Ghana (GDG), an influential think tank dedicated to advancing gender equality through rigorous research and advocacy, has issued a strong demand for the immediate abolition of a specific Ghana Education Service (GES) policy. This contentious policy permits the GES to conduct internal investigations into allegations of child abuse and, controversially, to transfer accused staff members to different communities. GDG argues that this approach is fundamentally flawed and must be brought into alignment with Ghana's existing child protection legislation.

The urgency of this call has been underscored by the recent handling of serious allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and several female students. This particular Obuasi SHTS child abuse case, according to GDG, starkly illustrates the critical need for a more coordinated governmental response and the implementation of robust safeguards to ensure the protection of children within educational institutions across the nation. The organization believes that the current Ghana GES child abuse investigation policy is inadequate for addressing such sensitive and critical matters effectively.

In a statement released on October 26, 2026, Gender Data Ghana articulated its legal position, asserting that statutory laws inherently supersede institutional policies. Consequently, the think tank contends that the current Ghana GES child abuse investigation policy, which grants the service the authority for self-investigation and the transfer of alleged perpetrators, warrants rigorous examination. GDG argues that this policy is inconsistent with the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), as amended, which itself draws its authority from Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Article 28 of the Ghana 1992 Constitution specifically mandates the protection of children, a principle further elaborated in the Children's Act 1998 Ghana. Given that no policy can override either a national law or the Constitution, Gender Data Ghana asserts that the existing Ghana GES policy is not only redundant but potentially unconstitutional and, therefore, must be abrogated. The organization emphasized that the paramount consideration in handling any such case must be the best interests of the child, while simultaneously upholding due process for those accused.

Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the Ghana GES child abuse investigation policy, Gender Data Ghana has put forth a series of broader recommendations aimed at strengthening the nation's child protection framework. The organization advocates for the deployment of professional social welfare officers in every public educational institution, proposing that these officers operate independently of the GES to ensure prompt and professional responses to suspected abuse cases. Furthermore, GDG urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate sufficient resources to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, as well as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, enabling them to fulfill their statutory duties effectively.

GDG also expressed significant concern that the Obuasi SHTS child abuse case was largely perceived as a "women's issue" rather than a critical national child protection concern. In response, the organization called upon President John Dramani Mahama to publicly demonstrate the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating child sexual exploitation and abuse. Parliament was also urged to enhance its oversight responsibilities, with GDG stressing that a unified, non-partisan approach is essential to bolster calls for accountability and justice. While commending statements from the Minority Women’s Caucus, the Public Accounts Committee, and the Human Rights Committee, Gender Data Ghana noted the absence of a unified statement from the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.

Looking ahead, the think tank proposed transforming the 2015 Child and Family Welfare Policy into a comprehensive Ghana child protection policy reform, designed to improve coordination among various ministries, departments, and agencies, and to clearly delineate their respective responsibilities. This comprehensive approach, GDG highlighted, is crucial for Ghana to uphold its obligations as the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Lawyers advising educational institutions or child protection agencies in Ghana should monitor developments regarding the Ghana Education Service's internal child abuse investigation policy, as its legality and constitutionality are being challenged. Compliance officers in schools should review their internal procedures to ensure alignment with the Children's Act and constitutional provisions, anticipating potential policy changes or legal challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Carbonatix