Haruna Iddrisu to establish confidential school abuse reporting hotlines

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced a partnership with telecommunications giant MTN to establish a dedicated, confidential hotline for students to report cases of abuse. This initiative is designed to allow students to bypass school authorities and report misconduct directly to independent bodies, ensuring that complaints are not suppressed or manipulated at the institutional level. Iddrisu emphasized that the establishment of independent reporting channels is a critical step in strengthening the investigation of suspected abuse and ensuring the safety of all learners in Ghanaian schools.

This policy response follows a significant scandal at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), where 19 female students were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse. The school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, has been suspended and has since resigned from his political positions following the exposure of the case. During a press conference, the Minister praised investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni for his efforts in uncovering the allegations and confirmed that all 19 affected students would receive comprehensive trauma-informed support to aid in their recovery and well-being.

In addition to the reporting hotline, the Ministry of Education is implementing stricter disciplinary protocols for teacher-student interactions. Under these new guidelines, any staff member suspected of abuse will face an immediate suspension pending a full administrative and legal review. Minister Iddrisu also pledged that the government would provide full protection for journalists and whistleblowers who come forward with information regarding misconduct within schools, asserting that transparency is essential for meaningful reform in the education sector.

Moving forward, the Ministry intends to enhance existing legal frameworks and national policies to further safeguard students from exploitation and harm. By collaborating with private sector partners like MTN and establishing direct reporting links, the government aims to dismantle the culture of silence that often surrounds school-based abuse. This development represents a proactive shift toward prioritizing student welfare and ensuring that educational institutions remain secure and accountable environments for all children.