The Deputy General Secretary of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Rene Senyo Kwamikorkor, has called for tougher punishment for teachers found guilty of sexual abuse, arguing that dismissal from the teaching profession alone may not be sufficient to ensure accountability.
He has also urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and teacher unions to intensify education on professional conduct and empower students to report sexual harassment and abuse.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s Townhall Talk, Kwamikorkor said the GES staff code of conduct contained provisions intended to protect students but called for stronger enforcement and greater awareness of the rules.
He explained that the code, revised in 2017, prohibited teachers from sexually harassing or engaging in sexual relations with students, regardless of whether a student appeared to consent.
He said the rules applied to students in other educational institutions as well, meaning teachers could not use the fact that a student attended a different school as an excuse for misconduct.
Kwamikorkor also said the code prohibited staff from encouraging sexual activity involving students or using their labour for private services.
He stressed that teachers had a responsibility to guide and protect students rather than exploit the authority entrusted to them.
On sanctions, he said teachers found culpable of misconduct could face dismissal or other disciplinary measures, while cases involving criminal offences should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
He argued that sexual abuse could have lasting consequences for victims and called for punishments severe enough to deter potential offenders.
“I’m not believing that the dismissal alone should be the reason,” he said during the discussion, advocating additional punishment, including imprisonment where the law provides for it.
Kwamikorkor also called for the code of conduct to be regularly discussed during teachers’ professional learning sessions so that staff could better understand the rules and the consequences of violating them.
He acknowledged the need to strengthen awareness among students, saying they should know their rights and understand where to report inappropriate behaviour.
He proposed accessible reporting channels through which students could safely disclose incidents of harassment or abuse and receive assistance.
The NAGRAT official further called for stronger support for students who report abuse, particularly where they may fear retaliation or feel intimidated by teachers and other school authorities.
He said the association did not condone sexual misconduct by teachers and maintained that allegations should be handled fairly, with the law allowed to take its course.
The discussion follows public concern over allegations of sexual abuse involving school authorities and students, prompting renewed calls for effective safeguarding measures.
Kwamikorkor said the priority should be to ensure that existing rules are implemented effectively, students are empowered to speak out and those found culpable face appropriate sanctions.
