Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School abuse case prompts calls for accountability

The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) is demanding full accountability following the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student with autism at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS).

While commending the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Upper East Regional Police Command for their initial responses, the NCPTAs is calling for a two-pronged approach involving both administrative accountability and criminal prosecution. The Council has requested that the two implicated watchmen, Elvis Adongo, 38, and Adams Nyaaba Iddrisu, 72, be dismissed and debarred from public service.

Additionally, the NCPTAs is calling for a nationwide audit and vetting of all school security and non-teaching staff, including background checks and fitness-for-duty assessments. The Council also urged the implementation of mandatory child protection training specifically designed for handling students with special educational needs and a review of recruitment practices to ensure staff can effectively safeguard students.