Gender Data Ghana calls for GES policy on child abuse investigations to be scrapped

Gender Data Ghana (GDG), a think tank focused on gender equality through research and advocacy, has called for the abolition of the Ghana Education Service (GES) policy that allows it to investigate allegations of abuse internally and transfer accused staff to other communities. According to the organisation, the policy must be brought in line with existing child protection laws.

The organisation says the handling of allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and female students highlights the need for a coordinated government response and stronger safeguards to protect children in schools. “Laws supersede policies. Therefore, the current policy of the Ghana Education Service which permits self-investigation of alleged cases of abuse and grants itself powers of transfer of alleged perpetuators to other communities must be interrogated in the light of the Children’s Act, which derives its source from Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution.

“Since a policy cannot override a law and the Constitution, the policy of the Ghana Education Service is redundant if not unconstitutional and must be abrogated,” Gender Data Ghana said in a statement dated October 26, 2026. The organisation argued that the GES policy must be assessed against the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), as amended, and Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides for the protection of children.

It maintained that the best interests of the child must guide the handling of the case, alongside respect for due process for the accused. Calls for social welfare officers in every public school Gender Data Ghana has proposed deploying professional social welfare officers in every public educational institution to strengthen the prevention and reporting of child abuse.

It said the officers should operate independently of the GES to enable them to respond promptly and professionally to suspected cases. The organisation also urged the Ministry of Finance to adequately resource the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service to enable them to perform their statutory responsibilities effectively.

Demands stronger government response The organisation expressed concern that the Obuasi SHTS case had largely been treated as a “women’s issue” rather than a national child protection concern. It called on President John Dramani Mahama to publicly demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending child sexual exploitation and abuse. It also urged Parliament to exercise its oversight responsibilities more visibly, arguing that a unified, non-partisan response would strengthen calls for accountability and justice.

While commending statements issued by the Minority Women’s Caucus, the Public Accounts Committee and the Human Rights Committee, Gender Data Ghana questioned the absence of a unified statement from the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus. Proposes comprehensive child protection policy Beyond the Obuasi SHTS case, the organisation proposed transforming the 2015 Child and Family Welfare Policy into a comprehensive Child Protection Policy.

It said the proposed framework should improve coordination among ministries, departments and agencies and clearly define their respective responsibilities. Gender Data Ghana stressed that Ghana’s status as the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child carries obligations that require stronger institutional safeguards and effective enforcement of existing laws.