Eduwatch Urges Nationwide Audit of Sexual Misconduct in Secondary Schools

Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has urged the Ministry of Education to commission an independent nationwide audit of sexual misconduct and safeguarding systems in secondary schools following allegations of sexual abuse involving students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

The organisation said the audit should identify weaknesses in existing systems for preventing abuse, receiving complaints, conducting investigations and holding perpetrators and responsible officials accountable.

In a statement dated Friday, October 16, Eduwatch cited a report documenting 44 cases involving teachers and school heads accused of sexually abusing students between January 2015 and October 2026.

According to the organisation, more than half of the cases had no publicly reported final verdict or sanction, raising concerns about transparency and the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms in the education sector.

Eduwatch argued that the figures point to the need for a broader assessment of how sexual misconduct allegations are handled across the country’s secondary schools.

The call comes amid allegations of repeated sexual abuse involving at least 16 female students of Obuasi SHTS. An investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni reportedly found that complaints had reached education authorities before the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, was interdicted.

Eduwatch said investigators should examine not only the conduct of individuals accused of abuse but also the actions and omissions of officials responsible for responding to complaints and enforcing safeguarding procedures.

The proposed nationwide audit, the organisation said, should determine whether schools and education directorates have effective reporting channels, clear referral procedures and adequate oversight mechanisms to protect students.

It also wants the findings to inform reforms that strengthen prevention, improve the handling of allegations and ensure that cases are resolved transparently.

Eduwatch maintains that a comprehensive review of safeguarding systems is necessary to address institutional weaknesses and prevent future cases of sexual misconduct in schools.

The organisation called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to treat student protection as a priority and ensure that allegations of abuse receive timely and appropriate attention.