Stephen Desu alleges systemic sexual misconduct in Ghanaian schools

Stephen Desu, a teacher at Ekumpoano Catholic Basic School, has raised an alarm over what he describes as systemic sexual misconduct within the Ghanaian educational system. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Desu alleged that the problem is not isolated to a few institutions but is a widespread trend affecting primary, junior high, and senior high schools across the country. He claimed that in almost every school, there are at least one or two teachers involved in inappropriate sexual relationships with students, highlighting a failure in institutional oversight.

According to Desu, these relationships are frequently transactional, driven by the financial hardships faced by many students. He explained that some female students, struggling with a lack of basic needs or inadequate food provisions, intentionally seek financial assistance from male teachers. This creates a dangerous power imbalance where teachers provide money in exchange for sexual favors. Desu noted that this transactional dynamic is often exacerbated by parental neglect, urging guardians to take a more active interest in their children's welfare to prevent them from being exploited.

The allegations come in the wake of a major scandal at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), where the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, was recently interdicted and arrested following accusations of sexual abuse involving over 14 students. Desu remarked that the situation at Obuasi is indicative of a broader culture where some teachers even find themselves in competition with male students for the attention of female learners. He claimed that in some instances, teachers go as far as punishing male students who are perceived as rivals for a girl’s affection.

Desu criticized the Ghana Education Service (GES) for its perceived lack of forceful action in addressing these recurring issues. He called for more decisive measures against offenders and encouraged former students to come forward with their experiences to expose the full scale of the problem. Emphasizing the need for accountability, Desu argued that while the teaching workforce is large, the profession must maintain high ethical standards to protect the safety and dignity of students in every classroom.