VP vows tough action against teachers who abuse female students
Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has warned teachers who exploit their authority to harass female students, vowing that the government will take decisive action against such misconduct.
Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony in Ho, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang condemned incidents of abuse and misconduct in schools, describing them as “a betrayal of trust” and a stain on the teaching profession.
She said recent cases involving teachers in leadership positions highlight the urgent need for accountability.
“Leadership cannot ignore teachers and others in positions of power who abuse our young people. The recent incident involving a teacher in a management role is a case in point. As educators, we are entrusted with responsibility, protection, and empathy. That authority exists to facilitate learning not to exploit. We will not hesitate to sanction anyone who violates this trust,” she declared.
The Vice President praised teachers as “architects of possibility,” stressing that their role goes beyond academics to shaping values, character, and the future of learners.
She urged educators to embrace mentorship, innovation, and lifelong learning, reminding them that their influence reaches far beyond the classroom.
Her comments follow two disturbing incidents of alleged sexual misconduct by teachers in the past week.
At KNUST Senior High School, the Assistant Headmaster (Academics) was removed after a viral video showed him in a compromising situation with a female student.
At Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School in the Oti Region, another teacher was interdicted after a video allegedly implicating him in sexual abuse surfaced on social media.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) described both cases as “unacceptable, unethical, and a clear violation of professional standards,” stressing that the safety of students remains a top priority.
To strengthen accountability, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang announced the revival of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) across the country to encourage stronger community participation in monitoring schools.
She also commended the ongoing collaboration with teacher unions and the National Teaching Council to professionalise teaching, enforce discipline, and uphold standards.
“Transfers are not punishments and should never be used for teachers who abuse children, betray trust, or disgrace the profession. The government has therefore decided to revive PTAs to encourage wider participation in protecting our learners,” she said.
Adding his voice, Rev. Isaac Owusu, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), condemned the misconduct, stressing that teachers have a duty of care to their students.
“As union leaders, we disassociate ourselves from this behaviour. We remind our members that the girl child entrusted to you is not for exploitation. Protect them, do not harm them,” he said.