Kofi Asare urges students to report school sexual abuse to external agencies

Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), has called on students to report incidents of sexual abuse directly to external oversight bodies rather than relying solely on internal school management. Speaking during a radio interview on October 21, 2026, Asare highlighted the necessity of bypassing the Ghana Education Service (GES) internal reporting structures to ensure the safety of victims and prevent interference from school authorities who may be implicated in such cases.

Asare recommended that victims or witnesses contact the Police Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) or the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through its toll-free Helpline of Hope at 0800 800 800. He argued that minimizing human involvement within the school hierarchy is essential for maintaining the integrity of sensitive investigations. By shifting the initial report to external professionals, the risk of cover-ups or institutional pressure on the victim is significantly reduced.

Beyond reporting channels, the Eduwatch director addressed the security of those within schools tasked with protecting students. He urged the GES to safeguard "safe-space focal persons"—designated staff members who handle abuse cases—from punitive transfers. Asare noted that these individuals often face retaliation for performing their duties. Drawing from successful safeguarding projects in Malawi, he suggested that Ghana should adopt policies ensuring these officers have consistent roles to better understand and mitigate specific risks within their school communities.

These recommendations come as part of a broader push for reform in how the Ghanaian education system handles allegations of misconduct and student safety. By empowering students to look beyond their immediate teachers and headmasters for help, Eduwatch aims to create a more transparent environment where perpetrators are held accountable without the barriers of institutional loyalty or administrative delays.