Review teacher training to protect students from abuse – Hamza Suhuyini

Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, has called for a review of teacher training and professional preparation in Ghana to strengthen the protection of students against abuse in educational institutions.

His call comes amid growing public concern over allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, and several female students. The case has renewed discussions about student safety, professional conduct among educators and the effectiveness of existing safeguarding measures in schools.

The allegations against Abdulai are under investigation, and no conclusion should be drawn about his criminal responsibility before the relevant authorities establish the facts.

Suhuyini’s proposal highlights the importance of ensuring that teachers and school administrators receive adequate training on professional boundaries, appropriate conduct, child protection and the procedures for reporting suspected abuse.

Beyond academic qualifications and classroom management, teacher preparation should equip educators with a clear understanding of their responsibilities towards students and the consequences of violating professional standards.

The review could also place greater emphasis on identifying warning signs of abuse, responding appropriately to complaints and ensuring that students can report misconduct without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

The importance of these measures has been underscored by concerns about how complaints involving school personnel are handled. A report by JoyNews Research tracked at least 44 cases involving teachers and school heads accused of sexually abusing students between January 2015 and October 2026, highlighting persistent questions about prevention and accountability.

Ghana already has professional conduct rules and guidelines intended to address sexual harassment and misconduct in educational institutions. However, the ongoing debate has raised questions about whether these measures are being implemented consistently and whether existing training and reporting systems are sufficient to protect students.

Child-protection organisations have also called for stronger vetting of teachers and school administrators, confidential reporting channels and appropriate support for students affected by alleged abuse.

A comprehensive review of teacher training could involve the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and the National Teaching Council, alongside child-protection organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Such reforms would need to combine prevention with effective investigations, clear disciplinary procedures and protection for students who report abuse. Teachers facing allegations must also be afforded due process while authorities prioritise the safety and dignity of students.

The broader objective is to ensure that schools remain safe environments where students can pursue their education without fear of exploitation or abuse.

Suhuyini’s call adds to the growing debate over whether Ghana’s teacher-training and school-safeguarding systems require further reforms to strengthen accountability and prevent future cases.

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