The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) has commended the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Police Service for their swift response to the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student with autism at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS).
In a statement, the NCPTAs said it had taken note of the separate but coordinated actions announced by the state institutions, stressing that the welfare and protection of children must remain a national priority.
The council commended the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for condemning the incident, directing investigations, ensuring medical and psychosocial support for the victim, and ordering the immediate restoration of her boarding status.
It also praised the GES for interdicting the two watchmen allegedly involved and the Upper East Regional Police Command for arresting the suspects, identified as 38-year-old Elvis Adongo and 72-year-old Adams Nyaaba Iddrisu.
The NCPTAs, however, called for the matter to be pursued to its logical conclusion, insisting that the incident must not end with administrative action alone.
“No child, and particularly a child with special needs, can be held responsible for sexual abuse perpetrated by an adult,” the council said.
The group expressed particular concern about the engagement of a 72-year-old man as a school security officer, questioning the recruitment and vetting processes that allowed a person of that age to occupy such a sensitive position.
It called on the GES to review its recruitment practices and prioritise the engagement of properly vetted, trained and fit personnel to provide security in schools.
NCPTAs demands nationwide audit
The NCPTAs is demanding an immediate nationwide vetting and audit of security personnel and other non-teaching staff in schools, including checks on their age, background and fitness for duty.
It also wants mandatory child protection and safeguarding training introduced, with specific modules on protecting students with special educational needs.
On criminal accountability, the council called on the Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary to ensure diligent prosecution of the case under Ghanaian law.
It cited Section 101 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), and Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the protection of children from physical and moral harm.
“No plea bargains. No delays. Justice must be seen to be done,” the NCPTAs said.
The council further urged school and regional PTAs to work with school management and the GES to strengthen safeguarding measures, including monitored access points, safe and supervised device-charging areas and strict visitor-log systems.
It specifically called on the BOGISS PTA Chairman and executives, as well as the Upper East Regional NCPTAs leadership, to show solidarity with the victim and her family and cooperate fully with state institutions.
The NCPTAs said Ghanaian parents would not accept silence or impunity and would continue to demand a school system that is safe, dignified and accountable.
“To the victim: You are a daughter of Ghana. The entire parent community is behind you and we will ensure your recovery and rights are prioritised,” the statement added.
