Gender Data Ghana, a think tank focused on gender equality, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to stop handling child abuse allegations against teachers through internal investigations and transfers, arguing that the practice undermines Ghana’s child protection laws.

According to a report by graphic.com, the organisation wants allegations of abuse involving teachers to be referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation rather than being dealt with solely through administrative procedures.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Dr Beatrice Duncan, it stated that the practice needed urgent review to ensure that the welfare and best interests of children remained the priority.

The call comes amid concerns over the handling of alleged abuse cases at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), where the organisation questioned the transfer and promotion of staff implicated in alleged misconduct instead of ensuring that the cases received appropriate scrutiny.

Gender Data Ghana cited the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), as amended, and Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution, arguing that the existing legal framework requires child abuse concerns to be handled by the relevant authorities.

According to the organisation, the law requires anyone with information about child abuse or a child in need of care and protection to report the matter to the Department of Social Welfare.

It added that where there were reasonable grounds to suspect abuse, social welfare officers, accompanied by the police, were required to investigate the circumstances.

The think tank stressed that internal GES investigations should not replace the statutory responsibilities of the police and social welfare authorities.

It, however, acknowledged that accused persons were entitled to due process under the law, insisting that allegations must be handled in a manner that protects children while respecting the rights of those accused.

Gender Data Ghana has called for the abolition of the practice and urged the government to provide the Department of Social Welfare, under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with adequate resources to investigate cases independently and respond promptly.

It also wants safeguarding focal persons in schools to receive proper training in child protection laws and procedures.

The organisation further called for stronger collaboration between teachers and social workers to improve the reporting and handling of abuse cases.

It said Ghana’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child made it necessary for authorities to strengthen child protection systems and ensure that allegations of abuse were handled without fear or favour.

NA/VPO