A teacher at Ekumpoano Catholic Basic School, Stephen Desu, has alleged that some teachers in senior high schools compete with male students for the attention of female students and punish boys who attempt to get close to the girls.
He said the alleged conduct reflected a disturbing abuse of authority in schools, where teachers entrusted with students’ welfare could use their positions to intimidate those they were supposed to guide and protect.
“It’s like sometimes they are fighting male students over the girls they are interested in,” Mr Desu said on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, October 20.
“Yes, over girls in the schools. And if you try to get close to those girls, those teachers will punish you, punish you till you leave those girls alone,” he added.
His comments came amid national concern over allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), where headmaster Zakaria Abdulai has been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and arrested by the police as investigations continue.
The case has attracted widespread attention following investigative reports by JoyNews correspondent Manasseh Azure Awuni.
‘The problem is worse at SHS level’
Mr Desu said sexual misconduct in schools was not limited to senior high schools, but argued that the problem was more pronounced at that level.
“At the primary level, the problem is there. At the JHS level, it’s there. But it’s worse. It’s worse at the SHS level,” he said.
He further alleged that some teachers actively sought postings to senior high schools because of opportunities to engage in sexual misconduct.
“And almost every school, if all of us will be politically correct with everything, everybody is aware that almost every school, there is one or there are two teachers who are engaged in this,” he said.
Mr Desu urged the public to take concerns about teacher misconduct seriously, suggesting that former students, particularly women, could provide accounts of inappropriate behaviour they had witnessed or experienced.
His comments raise questions about how schools address allegations of sexual exploitation, protect students from intimidation and ensure that teachers do not misuse their authority.
The allegations surrounding Obuasi SHTS have intensified scrutiny of the systems for reporting and investigating sexual misconduct in schools.
Mr Desu’s account points to concerns that students may be vulnerable not only to inappropriate conduct but also to retaliation when they attempt to form relationships or challenge the behaviour of adults in positions of authority.