The Programmes Manager of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), Adumoah Addo Lois, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s education system to protect students from sexual harassment and prevent alleged offenders from escaping accountability.
In a zoom interview on the Kessben Punch Show in Accra, the WiLDAF official said , existing school regulations and reporting structures must be reviewed to strengthen student protection and ensure that allegations of sexual harassment are handled fairly, transparently and independently.
The concerns, attributed to the official, highlight the possibility of teachers covering up sexual harassment complaints against colleagues to protect themselves or others.
The official questioned the effectiveness of the current reporting structure, where complaints are expected to move through the school’s focal officer, guidance and counselling units, before reaching headteachers.
“In a situation where the allegation is involving the headmaster, how objective and transparent can the response be?” she questioned.
To address these concerns, the WiLDAF representative proposed the establishment of an independent body to investigate sexual harassment allegations involving teachers and school authorities.
The official further called for legal officers to be assigned to education districts to assist with such cases and ensure that complaints receive appropriate legal attention.
Another major recommendation was the introduction of national reporting hotlines that would allow students to report sexual harassment and related misconduct without relying solely on school authorities.
The official also stressed the importance of protecting victims while ensuring that allegations are properly investigated, acknowledging that some complaints could be false or malicious.
The proposals underscore growing concerns about student safety, institutional accountability and the need for stronger safeguards against sexual harassment in Ghana’s educational institutions.
The central message is clear: protecting students must take priority over shielding alleged offenders, while every complaint must be handled through a fair and transparent process.
