YAWC Network calls for revocation of licences of teachers convicted of sexual abuse

The Executive Director of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network, Daniel Osei Tuffour, has called for the revocation of the teaching licences of teachers found guilty of sexually abusing students, arguing that transferring offenders to other schools is not enough to protect children. He has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant authorities to impose stricter sanctions on teachers who commit sexual offences against students, including prosecution and the withdrawal of their professional licences.

Mr Tuffour made the call at the YAWC Network’s 10th anniversary celebration in Accra on Monday, October 26. His comments follow a JoyNews documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni that exposed allegations of sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School. Mr Tuffour questioned the practice of transferring teachers accused of sexual misconduct to other schools, warning that it could expose more students to abuse if appropriate disciplinary and legal action was not taken.

“GES and other authorities should bring stricter sanctions. I don’t see why a teacher will molest a girl and the sanction is just to transfer them to a different school, and they will go and continue such atrocities,” he said. “Apart from being made to face the full rigours of the law, their licences must be revoked,” he added. Calls for stronger protection for victims Mr Tuffour said sexual abuse could leave victims with long-term psychological trauma and urged authorities to ensure that cases were investigated and prosecuted regardless of the perpetrators’ backgrounds or affiliations.

He also expressed concern about the handling of the Obuasi Senior High Technical School case, insisting that sexual offences involving children must be treated with the seriousness they deserve. The YAWC Network executive director further attributed the reluctance of some victims to report abuse to victim-blaming attitudes and financial difficulties.

He said inadequate support systems could prevent victims from speaking out, reporting offences and pursuing justice. “There are a lot of victims, but because there’s no support system, there is no support anywhere, we find them not being bold to report some of these cases,” he said. Mr Tuffour encouraged victims of sexual abuse to seek help and report their experiences, assuring them that the YAWC Network was prepared to offer support.