GES: Teachers Found Guilty of Sexual Harassment Will Be Dismissed, No Exceptions

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has drawn a firm line on sexual harassment in Ghanaian schools, declaring that any staff member found guilty of such conduct will face dismissal — and that an apology from the accused will not be enough to escape that outcome. The warning comes as the Service investigates fresh allegations of sexual misconduct at Obuasi Senior High and Technical School.

What the GES said

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Monday, 3 November, Deputy Director-General in charge of Quality and Access, Dr Issahaque Munwaru, was unambiguous: "One on sexual harassment is equal to dismissal." He made clear that a single substantiated allegation of sexual harassment constitutes sufficient grounds to terminate a staff member's employment, regardless of any subsequent remorse shown by the accused.

Dr Munwaru confirmed that a GES committee had already visited Obuasi Senior High and Technical School to begin investigations into the misconduct allegations. The committee is expected to interview all relevant parties — including those who raised the allegations — and to examine available video evidence before compiling its findings and submitting recommendations to GES headquarters.

He emphasised that due process would be followed throughout, noting that the GES operates a four-tier disciplinary structure in which decisions made at each level can be reviewed by the next higher authority. GES headquarters, he added, reserves the right to revisit the school committee's conclusions if necessary. "If there is need for us to even review the stance of the school committee, we will do that," he said. No fixed timeline was given for the committee to conclude its work.

Why it matters for Ghana

Sexual harassment and abuse in Ghanaian schools has long been a source of public concern, with student welfare advocates repeatedly calling on education authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. Cases involving teachers exploiting positions of power over pupils have, in the past, sometimes resulted in quiet transfers or lenient sanctions rather than firm disciplinary action — fuelling public mistrust.

The GES's latest statement signals a shift towards stricter accountability. By publicly stating that dismissal is the minimum consequence for proven harassment, the Service is placing both teachers and school administrators on notice that misconduct will carry serious career consequences. It also reinforces Ghana's broader legal framework for child protection, including obligations under the Children's Act and international commitments on safeguarding learners.

For parents and guardians of students in senior high schools across the country, the assurance that GES headquarters will independently review committee findings — rather than leaving discipline solely to school-level management — offers an additional layer of oversight that many have long demanded.

What happens next

The investigative committee is expected to complete its engagement with all parties at Obuasi Senior High and Technical School before forwarding its recommendations to GES headquarters. The Service has assured the public it will act on those recommendations in line with its disciplinary procedures.

• Advocacy groups have welcomed the GES's public stance but are likely to monitor whether the stated policy translates into concrete action once the committee reports.
• The outcome of the Obuasi case is expected to set a visible precedent for how similar allegations are handled at other schools nationwide.
• Parents and civil society organisations have been urged to report any cases of sexual misconduct through official GES channels without fear that complaints will be suppressed at the school level.

Ghana's education sector has faced growing scrutiny over student safety in recent years, and the GES's willingness to speak plainly on dismissal as a consequence — rather than leaving it as a vague possibility — marks a notable shift in tone from authorities.