NETRIGHT Ghana: Demands GES Establish Child Offenders Register

• Professor Akosua Darkwah of NETRIGHT called for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to establish an offenders’ register for sexual abuse cases.
• NETRIGHT also demanded annual reports from the GES detailing how sexual abuse cases in schools are handled and resolved.
• These demands were prompted by sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
• Professor Darkwah urged the GES to review its child protection policies and reconsider its teacher transfer policies.
• The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana seeks greater transparency and accountability to reassure parents about student safety.

The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana demands are aimed at ensuring that the GES moves beyond superficial responses to implement profound changes that prioritize student safety, review internal policies like teacher transfers, and establish clear accountability in the handling of all sexual abuse complaints.

The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), through its Convener Professor Akosua Darkwah, has issued a strong call for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to implement critical reforms aimed at bolstering child protection within the nation's educational institutions. Among the key demands is the establishment of a comprehensive NETRIGHT Ghana Education Service offenders register, designed to track individuals implicated in sexual abuse cases across schools.

Professor Darkwah, speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on October 24, underscored the urgency of these measures, particularly in light of recent sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School. These allegations, brought to public attention by an investigative documentary from journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, serve as a pivotal moment for the GES to re-evaluate and strengthen its child protection frameworks. The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana demands extend to greater transparency, advocating for the GES to publish annual reports detailing all Ghana school sexual abuse reporting, including how these cases were handled and resolved.

A central concern raised by Professor Akosua Darkwah regarding the GES's current approach is the perceived gap between legislative intent and practical enforcement. She noted that Ghana possesses numerous laws designed to safeguard children, yet their effective implementation remains a significant challenge. This observation highlights a broader issue where the nation's willingness to adopt protective legislation has not consistently translated into robust, on-the-ground measures to ensure children's safety.

Professor Darkwah specifically urged the GES to undertake a thorough GES child protection policy review, using the recent scandal as a catalyst for meaningful change rather than temporary fixes. Furthermore, she questioned the efficacy of the GES's existing teacher transfer policies, particularly when allegations of sexual misconduct arise. She emphasized the need for the Service to critically assess whether such transfers genuinely address issues of abuse or merely relocate problems, advocating for a reconsideration of these policies to ensure they align with child protection objectives.

The push for an offenders' register and annual reporting is fundamentally about fostering greater transparency and rebuilding parental trust in the school system. Professor Darkwah articulated that such accountability mechanisms are essential to reassure parents that their children are genuinely protected when attending school. The proposed annual reports would provide crucial data on the number of sexual abuse cases reported to the GES and the actions taken, offering a clear picture of the Service's responsiveness and effectiveness.

Ultimately, the Obuasi Senior High Technical School scandal should serve as a turning point for lasting institutional reforms. The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana demands are aimed at ensuring that the GES moves beyond superficial responses to implement profound changes that prioritize student safety, review internal policies like teacher transfers, and establish clear accountability in the handling of all sexual abuse complaints. This comprehensive approach is vital for creating a secure educational environment for all Ghanaian children.

Lawyers advising educational institutions in Ghana should anticipate increased public and advocacy pressure for stricter compliance with child protection laws, greater transparency in reporting sexual abuse cases, and a review of internal policies like teacher transfers. Compliance officers must monitor potential regulatory shifts and prepare for enhanced scrutiny of their child protection frameworks and reporting mechanisms, including the potential for a mandatory offenders' register.

Source: Original reporting via Carbonatix