UBIDS Professor Urges School Authorities and Teacher Unions To Report School Sexual Abuse Cases To Police
Professor Constance Awinpoka Akurugu says sexual violence allegations must be referred to law enforcement, not settled through internal mediation.
Professor Constance Awinpoka Akurugu has urged school authorities and teacher unions to report all incidents of rape in schools to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and possible legal action.
Speaking to Info Radio about reported sexual abuse cases in schools, Professor Akurugu said school authorities and unions should move beyond internal mediation and refer allegations to law enforcement and specialised gender units for professional investigation.
She said prompt reporting is essential to protect victims, ensure accountability and prevent alleged perpetrators from evading justice. School authorities and Teacher unions, she added, have an important role in challenging the culture of silence around sexual abuse in educational institutions.
Professor Akurugu also called on education-sector stakeholders to prioritise the safety and welfare of students and teachers, and to treat rape allegations with the seriousness they warrant.
Professor Constance Awinpoka Akurugu is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies and Director of the Centre for Gender, Diversity and Social Inclusion at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies. She is also a member of the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), a civil society network that advocates for women’s human rights and gender-responsive policy.
Her comments come amid reported sexual misconduct allegations involving the former headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School. Media reports say a 20-year-old student lodged a complaint alleging that the former headmaster raped her at his official residence in July 2026. Other reports have referred to allegations involving additional students.
The Ghana Education Service has interdicted the former headmaster, while police have reportedly forwarded the case docket to the Attorney-General for advice. The allegations remain subject to investigation and legal process; no finding of guilt is yet implied.
Professor Constance’s call underscores the need for institutions to ensure that allegations are handled through appropriate safeguarding and legal procedures, rather than resolved solely through internal arrangements.
Comments