GNACOPS demands inquiry into sexual abuse crisis in Senior High Schools

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) is demanding the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into rising cases of sexual misconduct in Senior High Schools, warning that the trend has become a national crisis threatening the safety and dignity of learners.

In a strongly worded statement,  GNACOPS condemned what it described as a systemic failure to protect students, following two high-profile cases of alleged sexual abuse involving senior educators in less than a week.

On September 29, the Ghana Education Service (GES) confirmed the dismissal of Charles A. Aidoo, Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of KNUST Senior High School, after a viral video allegedly showed him in a compromising position with a female student.

Just days later, on October 2, Mfo Richard Tibetor of Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School was interdicted over another allegation of sexual misconduct with a student.

“These incidents are not isolated,” GNACOPS stated. “They expose a deeper culture of abuse, fear, and institutional neglect within our schools.”

Citing Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution, GNACOPS urged President John Dramani Mahama, Parliament, and the Council of State to set up a Commission of Inquiry with the power to investigate the scale of the problem and propose sweeping reforms.

The Council outlined four key responsibilities for the proposed Commission:

1. Assess the prevalence and patterns of sexual abuse across Senior High Schools nationwide.

2. Identify networks of complicity, including school authorities and district officials who cover up or ignore misconduct.

3. Recommend reforms to strengthen student protection, accountability, and enforcement of laws.

4. Build stronger partnerships between education stakeholders, law enforcement, and civil society to fight abuse.

GNACOPS also raised alarm over reports that some female teachers have allegedly been complicit in covering up cases or silencing victims, further deepening the culture of secrecy.

Calling for urgent national action, GNACOPS appealed to teacher unions, school heads, parent associations, civil society, and religious bodies to rally behind the demand for justice and systemic change.

“Silence is no longer an option. We must act now to restore public confidence in our education system. Ghana’s children deserve nothing less,” said Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, National Executive Director of GNACOPS.

The statement emphasized that every Ghanaian child is entitled to a safe, respectful, and abuse-free education whether in public or private institutions. With investigations ongoing into the latest scandals, public pressure is mounting for the government to go beyond routine press releases and take decisive, structural action to protect the nation’s learners.