Don’t shield anybody – Apaak warns education directors against covering up sexual abuse cases

Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak has cautioned education directors against concealing sexual abuse allegations involving teachers and headteachers, warning that officials who fail to report such cases will face accountability.

His warning comes amid allegations of sexual abuse involving the headteacher of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, which have sparked public concern and renewed calls for accountability in the handling of abuse reports within the education sector.

Dr Apaak insisted that all allegations of sexual abuse involving learners must be reported without delay and that accused persons must be kept away from students while investigations are ongoing.

He made the remarks at the 33rd Conference of Directors of Education, held at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

“You are aware of the allegations of sexual abuse involving a headteacher at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. I will not discuss the specifics of a matter that is, or ought to be, under investigation,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said allegations of sexual abuse must not be handled discreetly to protect the image of a school or the reputation of an accused staff member.

“When a child or a parent reports sexual abuse by a teacher or a headteacher, that report is not an inconvenience to be managed quietly. It is not a reputational risk to the school that must be contained,” he stated.

He called on education directors to respond decisively to such reports, irrespective of the position held by the accused or their influence within the community.

“Do not shield any teacher from the consequences of credible allegations in the mistaken belief that you are protecting the system. You are not. You are endangering the next child, and you are endangering yourself, because a Director who conceals abuse is not a bystander to it,” Dr Apaak warned.

He said the Ministry of Education expected directors to comply with established reporting procedures and ensure that accused persons had no contact with learners while investigations continued.

“I say this to you as a direct instruction from the Ministry: every allegation of sexual abuse must be reported promptly through the proper channels. Every accused person must be removed from contact with learners while investigations proceed. And every Director who fails in this duty will be held to account,” he said.

Dr Apaak emphasised that the safety and welfare of learners must take priority over protecting adults accused of violating their duty of care.

“This is not optional, and it is not negotiable. Our schools exist to protect children, not to protect adults who betray that protection,” he added.

The Deputy Minister was addressing the conference, held under the theme, “From Policy to Classroom: District Leadership for Quality Learning Outcomes and 21st Century Skills for National Development.”

He urged education directors to ensure that Ministry directives were implemented effectively at the district, circuit and school levels, noting that their leadership was critical to protecting learners and improving educational outcomes.