The Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei Asare, has called for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to be excluded from investigating sexual abuse allegations in schools, arguing that such cases should be handled by law enforcement agencies.
The Atiwa East MP said the GES had shown a lack of capacity and commitment in handling allegations of sexual abuse involving students, raising concerns about child protection and accountability.
She cited a case referenced in an investigative report involving a teacher accused of sexually abusing a student. She said the matter was referred to a committee, with the teacher asked to stay at home pending investigations.
However, she said the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report documented a case in which a teacher who had been asked to stay at home continued to receive a salary for 36 months.
“This teacher was validated while he was at home, and he was being paid. It was in the Auditor-General’s Report for 2024,” she said.
Ms Osei Asare argued that internal administrative processes were inadequate for dealing with allegations that could constitute criminal offences.
“GES is not clothed with the power to settle criminal offences,” she stated, insisting that such cases should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
She also cited accounts in the investigative material that, she alleged, suggested attempts to discourage the reporting of sexual abuse cases.
The MP said the education authorities had failed in their responsibility to protect students and called for a more decisive approach to investigating allegations and holding perpetrators accountable.
“That is why we are saying GES should be off any issues of a sexual nature because they have proven to us that they do not have the capacity, are not willing and are not committed to doing what is right. They have failed the children brought under their care,” she said.
Ms Osei Asare said the matter would be raised in Parliament, with female MPs expected to contribute to discussions.
She added that the PAC would reiterate its position in its recommendations, calling for criminal allegations to be handled by the appropriate investigative authorities rather than being confined to internal administrative procedures.
