The Ministry of Education has expressed grave concerns over the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student with autism at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS) in the Upper East Region, allegedly perpetrated by two watchmen employed at the school.
Addressing the matter, the Ministry condemned in the strongest terms any act of sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under its care, stressing that schools exist to protect and nurture students, and that any breach of that trust, particularly by adults entrusted with safeguarding vulnerable children, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The Ministry was firm in stating unequivocally that a minor cannot be held responsible for sexual abuse perpetrated against her by an adult, a position that directly challenges the school’s earlier disciplinary decision to withdraw the student’s boarding status following the alleged incident.
“A child who suffers sexual abuse deserves protection, support and justice not punishment. The focus must remain on safeguarding the victim and holding the perpetrators accountable.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
This clarification appears to respond directly to concerns raised by child protection advocates, including Africa Education Watch, which had earlier called for an urgent independent review of the school’s disciplinary decision against the student.
Minister Directs GES To Act Immediately
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate the matter and report immediately, ensuring that the process moves forward with the urgency the case demands given its serious nature.
He further directed that the victim receives all necessary medical attention and counselling to support her quick recovery, recognising the psychological and physical toll the alleged abuse may have had on the student.
Boarding Status to Be Immediately Reinstated
In a significant reversal of the school’s earlier sanction, the Minister directed that the victim’s boarding status be immediately reinstated, addressing one of the central concerns raised by child protection advocates who argued that removing the student from boarding amounted to punishing her for the abuse she had suffered.
“The Honorable Minister for Education has directed the Ghana Education Service to immediately reinstate the boarding status of the victim.”
Ministry of Education
This directive effectively overturns the school’s July 20, 2026 letter, which had described the child as “guilty of sexual misconduct” and withdrawn her boarding privileges for one academic year.
The Ministry sought to assure the student’s family and the general public that it will ensure justice is served in this matter, signalling its commitment to holding those responsible accountable while supporting the victim through the recovery and investigative process.
Case of Indiscipline, Ministry Insists
The Ministry of Education characterised the development as an act of indiscipline, reaffirming its broader commitment to the safety, dignity, and rights of every child within the Ghanaian school system. This framing positions the incident not merely as an isolated case, but as a matter requiring institutional accountability and systemic vigilance across the country’s boarding schools.
The Ministry’s directives closely mirror several of the demands previously raised by Africa Education Watch, including the reversal of the disciplinary finding against the student and the provision of immediate medical and psychosocial support.
With the Ministry now publicly committing to these measures, attention shifts to how swiftly the GES investigation proceeds, and whether the broader safeguarding concerns raised around the school’s handling of the case, including the timeline of its response to the alleged abuse, will also be addressed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
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