Ministry of Education condemns alleged sexual abuse at Bolgatanga Girls SHS and directs GES to investigate, support the student and restore boarding status.

By: Ferdinand Ellis | EducateGhana.com
Published: August 21, 2026
Updated: August 21, 2026

The Ministry of Education has condemned the reported sexual abuse of a student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS) in the Upper East Region and directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate steps to protect the student’s welfare and continued education.

In a statement issued on August 20, 2026, and signed by Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, the Ministry described sexual abuse or exploitation of a child in the care of an educational institution as unacceptable.

The Ministry’s intervention follows a developing case involving allegations of sexual assault at the school. The Ghana Education Service has separately confirmed that two school watchmen were arrested and handed over to the Police, while GES management interdicted them pending investigations.

The Ministry has also directed that the affected student be reinstated to boarding status, following concerns surrounding an earlier school decision to place the student in temporary day status.

Ministry of Education Condemns Alleged Sexual Abuse

The Ministry of Education said schools have a fundamental responsibility to protect children placed under their care.

In its statement, the Ministry condemned acts of sexual abuse and exploitation against children and stressed that educational institutions must remain environments where students can learn in safety and dignity.

The Ministry’s position is particularly significant because the case involves a student described in the GES statement as having special educational needs. GES said preliminary information indicated that the student was on medication and had reportedly experienced a relapse requiring medical attention around the time of the alleged incident.

The Ministry emphasised the principle that a child should not be treated as responsible for sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated against the child by an adult.

This principle is consistent with Ghana’s broader child protection framework, which places duties on institutions and adults to safeguard children from abuse, exploitation and other forms of harm.

The Ministry therefore said the matter must be handled with the protection, dignity and welfare of the student at the centre of the response.

➡ Related: [Inclusive Education in Ghana: Complete Guide]
➡ Related: [Special Education in Ghana: Programmes and Career Opportunities]

Ministry Directs GES to Investigate the Matter

The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Education Service to investigate the matter and report on its findings.

The directive comes as Police investigations into the allegations continue. According to GES, the two watchmen alleged to be involved in the incident were arrested and handed over to the Police.

GES also said the two staff members had been interdicted with immediate effect.

The Police investigation is separate from the administrative processes being undertaken by GES and the Ministry of Education. The allegations therefore remain subject to investigation, and the accused persons are entitled to due process.

The Ministry’s directive to GES is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether additional administrative action is required.

Where investigations establish wrongdoing, the Ministry said appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the law and applicable education-sector regulations.

The development also raises broader questions about safeguarding arrangements in schools, particularly the protection of students who may require additional support because of disability or other vulnerabilities.

➡ Related: [Ghana Education Service: Roles, Functions and Responsibilities]
➡ Related: [National Teaching Standards in Ghana: Complete Guide]

Student Directed to Be Reinstated to Boarding

One of the most significant directives from the Ministry concerns the student’s accommodation status.

The Ministry has directed GES to immediately reinstate the student to boarding status.

This follows an earlier decision by Bolgatanga Girls’ SHS to place the student on temporary day status for one academic year. The earlier school communication had also recommended counselling and medical attention.

The Ministry’s latest directive changes the position regarding the student’s boarding status. It places continued access to the boarding arrangement within the Ministry’s broader child protection response.

The decision is important because an education response to an alleged abuse case should take account of the welfare and educational interests of the child. Any administrative measure affecting the victim should be carefully considered to ensure that it does not result in stigma, exclusion or further harm.

The Ministry has also directed that the student receive the necessary medical attention and counselling to support her recovery.

The emphasis on continued education reflects the principle that a child affected by an abuse allegation should continue to have access to education and appropriate support.

➡ Related: [Inclusive Education in Ghana: Complete Guide]
➡ Related: [Guidance and Counselling in Ghanaian Schools: Complete Guide]

What the Earlier School Decision Said

An earlier letter from Bolgatanga Girls’ SHS dated July 20, 2026 recommended that the student become a temporary day student for one academic year.

The letter also recommended referral to the school’s Guidance and Counselling Unit and advised the student’s parents to seek medical attention and provide a report to the school.

That earlier document referred to the student’s conduct under a provision of the GES Code of Conduct and described the matter as sexual misconduct.

The subsequent GES statement issued on August 20 presented a materially different account of the circumstances. GES described the student as a victim of an alleged sexual assault involving two watchmen.

This distinction is important for responsible reporting. The two documents should not automatically be treated as describing the same circumstances without further official clarification.

The Ministry’s latest directive provides an important development because it specifically orders GES to reinstate the student’s boarding status while ensuring that she receives medical and counselling support.

EducateGhana.com will therefore treat the earlier disciplinary account and the subsequent sexual-assault investigation as separate developments unless competent authorities formally establish their relationship.

➡ Related: [Teaching and Learning Resources for Ghanaian Teachers]
➡ Related: [Classroom Management Strategies for Teachers in Ghana]

GES and Police Investigations

The Ghana Education Service has stated that the two watchmen were arrested and handed over to the Police.

GES said the two individuals had also been interdicted while investigations continued.

The Police investigation is critical because allegations involving sexual assault can have both criminal and administrative implications.

Until the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings are concluded, reports should use terms such as “alleged assault” and “alleged perpetrators” rather than presenting allegations as established facts.

The Ministry has meanwhile directed GES to investigate the matter and report immediately.

The separate processes will allow the relevant authorities to establish what happened, determine whether criminal offences were committed and identify any institutional failures that may require corrective action.

For the student and her family, the immediate priority remains safety, medical care, counselling, continued education and protection from further harm.

➡ Related: [Ghana Education Service: Complete Guide]
➡ Related: [Child Protection in Ghanaian Schools: Rights, Responsibilities and Reporting]

Child Protection Implications for Ghanaian Schools

The Bolgatanga Girls’ case highlights the responsibility of schools to establish effective safeguarding systems for students.

School authorities have a duty to create environments in which children can learn without fear of abuse, exploitation or intimidation.

This responsibility extends beyond teachers and administrators. Non-teaching staff, security personnel, contractors and other adults who interact with students must also understand and comply with safeguarding expectations.

Schools also need clear mechanisms for reporting suspected abuse and responding promptly when concerns are raised.

For students with disabilities or additional support needs, safeguarding arrangements may require additional attention because communication, mobility, dependence on caregivers and other circumstances can affect how risks are identified and addressed.

The Ministry’s directive therefore extends beyond the immediate case. It raises the need for continued attention to institutional safeguarding, staff conduct, reporting procedures and the treatment of vulnerable learners.

Effective child protection requires cooperation among schools, GES, parents, health professionals, Police, social welfare authorities and other relevant institutions.

Ministry Reaffirms Commitment to Student Safety

The Ministry of Education has assured the student’s family and the wider public that the matter is being treated seriously.

Its intervention places student welfare at the centre of the response and directs GES to take specific steps concerning investigation, medical care, counselling and boarding status.

The case also demonstrates why allegations involving children require careful handling by schools and the media.

Publishing the identity, photograph, medical information or unnecessary personal details of a child involved in an alleged sexual offence can expose the child to stigma and further harm.

EducateGhana.com will therefore continue to withhold identifying information about the student and will distinguish clearly between verified facts, allegations and information that remains under investigation.

The outcome of the Police and GES processes will be important in establishing the full circumstances of the case and determining what further action may be required.

For now, the Ministry’s latest position is clear. The affected student is to receive appropriate support and is to be reinstated to boarding while the relevant investigations continue.

Key Takeaways

Editorial and Child Protection Note

EducateGhana.com has deliberately excluded the student’s name, photograph, class and other identifying information. The article also avoids unnecessary details concerning the alleged assault.

The allegations against the two watchmen remain allegations pending investigation and any applicable judicial process. The publication does not presume their guilt.

The earlier school disciplinary communication and the later GES statement are treated as separate documents. No conclusion is drawn about their relationship beyond what has been officially stated.

About the Author

Ferdinand Ellis is an education researcher, curriculum specialist, education policy analyst and education journalist. He is the founder of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, and writes on education policy, teacher education, curriculum, assessment, schools and educational development.

References

Ghana Education Service. (2026, August 20). Immediate release: Alleged sexual assault at Bolgatanga Girls SHS.

Ministry of Education. (2026, August 20). Statement on alleged sexual abuse at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School.

Republic of Ghana. (1998). Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560). Ghana Publishing Company.