Since 2015, at least 44 cases of sexual abuse involving teachers have been recorded, according to the JoyNews Research Team. Forty per cent of these cases involved school heads. The Church of Pentecost’s Schools Outreach Ministry has responded with a stark warning to educators.
Rev. Joseph Buertey, chairman of the ministry, spoke at an event held with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. He condemned teachers who abuse, harass, or exploit female students. “If you are a teacher and you are abusing a girl, harassing a girl, you are sleeping with a girl, what it means is that you don’t understand your profession,” he said.
Rev. Buertey reminded teachers that their role is to educate and prepare students, not to exploit them. “You are there to teach these girls, you are there to empower them, you are there to build a future. You are not there to exploit them,” he said. He also warned that those caught would face legal consequences. “When you are discovered, the law will deal with you,” he added.
The event gathered students from basic and senior high schools across the Korle Klottey Municipality. It aimed to promote girls’ education, raise awareness about protection, and encourage safer school environments.
Korle Klottey Municipal Education Director Ebenezer Perry Ofori spoke about the importance of including boys in discussions about girls’ education and safety. He questioned whether boys were receiving enough attention as programmes supporting girls continued. “As we concentrate so much on the girls, we realise that the girls will be shining and shining and shining. What is happening to the boys?” he asked.
Mr Ofori said raising boys and girls together would encourage balance and understanding. “We need to also ensure that we bring the boys up; we have to bring them along so that together we get the two of them on the same scale for a balance,” he said.
A student attending the event, Celestine Kporfor, said the discussions reinforced her belief in the importance of educating girls. She urged parents and guardians to invest in their daughters’ education, calling it an important contribution to national development. “When you educate your daughter, you have made the best decision in this world,” she said.
The Church of Pentecost’s Schools Outreach Ministry has taken a public stance amid the rising number of abuse cases. The ministry’s warning reflects growing concern about the conduct of some teachers and school leaders. The event’s focus on both protection and education reflects ongoing efforts to make schools safer for girls.
According to Joy Online.
