Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang has vowed that teachers who sexually abuse or harass female students will face strict disciplinary action, making it clear that transfers will no longer be used as punishment for such offences.
Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony in Ho, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang condemned recent incidents of misconduct in schools, describing them as “a betrayal of trust” and a stain on the teaching profession.
“Leadership cannot ignore those teachers and others in positions of power who abuse our young people. The recent events involving one of our teachers in a management position are a case in point. As teachers, we must always remember that we are placed in a position of trust, protection, and empathy. The power given to us is to facilitate learning. We will not wait to apply sanctions to those who violate this trust,” she said.
She emphasised that transfers will no longer serve as disciplinary measures, insisting that such actions fail to address the gravity of the offences.
“Transfers are not punishments. They should never be used for those who abuse our children, betray their trust, or disgrace our profession. The government has also decided to revive Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to encourage broader community participation in shaping and protecting our young learners,” she added.
Her remarks come in the wake of two high-profile cases of alleged sexual misconduct within the past week. At KNUST Senior High School, the Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academics was removed after a video surfaced showing him in a compromising situation with a female student. Similarly, at Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School in the Oti Region, a teacher was interdicted following a viral video implicating him in sexual misconduct.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) condemned both incidents as “unacceptable, unethical, and a clear violation of professional conduct,” reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding students.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described teachers as “architects of possibility,” charged not only with imparting knowledge but also with shaping character and values. She urged educators to embrace mentorship, innovation, and lifelong learning, reminding them that their influence extends well beyond the classroom.
She further announced the revival of PTAs nationwide to enhance community involvement in monitoring schools and praised the ongoing collaboration between government, teacher unions, and the National Teaching Council in enforcing discipline and upholding professional standards.
Also addressing the event, Rev. Isaac Owusu, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), strongly condemned inappropriate behaviour toward female students and cautioned teachers against betraying their duty of care.
“We disassociate ourselves as your union leaders from this unacceptable behaviour. On our staff and in our communities, we have single female teachers—do not harm the students we are entrusted to teach,” he warned.
