Gender Ministry moves to strengthen child protection in schools

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is stepping up efforts to strengthen child protection in schools, following reports of alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School and growing concerns about student safety in educational institutions.

The Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, announced the measures after meeting investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni to discuss the reported incident and gather further information to guide the Ministry’s response.

Dr Lartey said she had engaged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) ahead of the meeting to promote a coordinated response among the institutions responsible for education, child protection and law enforcement.

She stressed that addressing alleged abuse in schools required close collaboration to protect affected students, support their recovery and ensure that appropriate action was taken.

As part of the planned interventions, the Ministry would work with GES to review and strengthen existing policies, codes of conduct and child protection provisions in schools. The measures are intended to address gaps in safeguarding arrangements and help prevent sexual abuse, bullying and other forms of mistreatment on school campuses.

The Minister also disclosed that a technical representative from the Ministry would work with GES to support a longer-term approach to child safeguarding. This, she said, would help ensure that school policies and practices were aligned with national child protection laws and standards.

Beyond policy reforms, the Ministry will collaborate with relevant institutions to support affected students and their families, including access to appropriate medical screening and psychosocial support to aid their recovery and wellbeing.

Dr Lartey further indicated that the Ministry would work towards ensuring that its helpline numbers and those of other relevant agencies are prominently displayed on school campuses nationwide.

The initiative is expected to make it easier for students to report abuse, threats to their safety and other protection concerns, while helping them access assistance promptly.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment, Dr Lartey said it would continue to work with the Ministry of Education, GES, the Ministry of the Interior, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to improve the coordination and implementation of child protection laws and policies.

She said the broader objective was to strengthen reporting and response systems and ensure that schools provided safe learning environments for all children.

Mr Azure Awuni welcomed the Minister’s engagement and expressed appreciation for her interest in the matter. He also acknowledged the opportunity to share additional information that could help the Ministry identify appropriate interventions.

The public has been encouraged to report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other social protection concerns through the Ministry’s Helpline of Hope call centre on 0800-111-222, 0800-800-800 or 0800-900-900.