The Ministry of Education has issued a strict directive banning students nationwide from carrying out domestic chores for headmasters and teachers.
This comes as government moves swiftly to institute systemic reforms following allegations of sexual misconduct at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to halt all forms of domestic service by students immediately, emphasizing that schools must remain safe environments dedicated solely to learning.
“The Director-General of GES has been directed that no student should serve any headmaster or teacher as if they were the domestic servant of the headmaster and teachers forthwith,” Mr. Iddrisu stated. “We will deploy the necessary administrative and legal measures to safeguard learners.”
The directive followst the interdiction of Obuasi SHTS headmaster Zakaria Abdulai and the referral of criminal allegations to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
Trauma Support and Hotline to Protect Whistleblowers
To assist those affected, Minister Iddrisu announced comprehensive psychological care for 19 impacted students and pledged robust protection for individuals exposing wrongdoing.
“We will get trauma-informed support for victims, including the 19 affected students,” Mr. Iddrisu assured, commending investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni for bringing the matter to light. “We will work to protect whistleblowers and safeguard them, including journalists… I did not hesitate after five minutes to act decisively on the matter, regardless of what the party affiliation of the affected person was.”
He revealed that the Ministry is collaborating with telecommunications operator MTN to set up a dedicated reporting hotline for students, parents, and school staff.
“We’re in touch with MTN to establish a hotline with the Ministry of Education to facilitate open reporting of these matters for us to assist with the investigation and deal ruthlessly and decisively with those who abuse our students,” he added.
Media Exposure Triggers Victim Withdrawals
The policy directives come as the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection revealed that three affected girls withdrew from support engagements due to fears stemming from reckless media reporting.
Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey disclosed that public identification of students through full names or recognizable voice recordings has caused distress and made parents hesitant to participate in official proceedings.
“Two or three of the students have had to withdraw because they heard their names being mentioned fully, their full names,” Dr. Lartey explained. “Even those whose faces were covered, some friends and family members were able to identify their voices, and it is going against them.”
She strongly appealed to media outlets to exercise restraint and stop harassing young victims for interviews.
“The victims have also been overwhelmed with questions. They’ve had media persons harassing them for interviews, and this is not the time you ask a victim to come for an interview,” Dr. Lartey urged. “Don’t let us make stories that can be told from different points of view, rather than directly from the children.”
Government officials have reiterated that full administrative and legal process will be followed without compromise as law enforcement agencies continue their investigations.
