Education · Gloria Atiase

Plan International Ghana demands justice for female students

Plan International Ghana is demanding justice for female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School following allegations of sexual abuse involving the school's headmaster. 

In a release issued to the media, the organisation said the allegations raise serious concerns about student safety, abuse of authority and failures in child protection systems.

In a strong call for action, Plan International Ghana said justice must go beyond dismissing one individual. The organisation has called for independent investigations, psychosocial and healthcare support for affected students, and accountability for any school officials found to have ignored or mishandled complaints.

It also demanded safe reporting channels for students and teachers, stronger safeguarding measures in schools, and a nationwide review of how sexual abuse complaints are handled. 

But beyond investigations and disciplinary action, Plan International Ghana said the dignity and wellbeing of affected students must come first. The organisation has urged the media and the public to protect the identities of the students and avoid victim-blaming, stigma and sensational reporting, emphasising that no child should suffer in silence to protect an institution's reputation. 

Plan International Ghana has called on the Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and law enforcement agencies to turn their commitment to child protection into concrete action, because, as the organisation stresses, dismissal alone cannot heal survivors, fix broken systems or guarantee that other children will be safe. 

The organisation noted that every child deserves justice, every complaint deserves to be heard, and every school must be safe.