Ghanaian school misconduct and teacher accountability

Advocates and former education officials in Ghana are calling for stricter disciplinary measures and enhanced vetting processes to protect students from misconduct. The Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum have urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to implement tougher sanctions, such as criminal prosecution and the permanent revocation of teaching licenses, rather than simply transferring accused teachers to different schools. Dr. Adutwum proposed a sex offenders register and mandatory fingerprint-based background checks to prevent individuals with histories of misconduct from moving between institutions.

In a specific incident at Twene Amanfo Senior High Technical School, the GES launched an investigation into two teachers, Jerry Jones Owusu Bekoe and Adusa Ameyaw, following a video allegedly showing them assaulting a student. While preliminary findings suggested the teachers reacted to student bullying and extortion, GES Deputy Director-General Dr. Issahaque Munwaru stated the physical punishment constituted professional misconduct. The teachers face reprimand, removal from duty, and surcharges for medical expenses. The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has also called for the reintroduction of safe disciplinary standards to protect children's rights.