Accra, Feb.10, GNA – World Vision Ghana (WVG), a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organisation, has condemned reports of bullying involving first-year students at Accra Academy and Zuarungu Senior High School.
According to World Vision, these acts of intimidation and violence were unacceptable and demanded urgent intervention from school authorities, educational stakeholders, and the government.
A statement signed by Mr Gregory Dery, Child Protection and Advocacy Manager at WVG, urged swift investigations into the issues to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
“Bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting, devastating effects on the mental health, well-being, and academic performance of students. Schools must be safe spaces where students feel protected, valued, and empowered to learn and grow.
“We strongly condemn the reported incidents and urge that education authorities should provide guidance and resources to schools to prevent and address bullying effectively.
“Also, the government must reinforce policies and laws to combat bullying and ensure strict enforcement to protect students, and also parents, teachers, and students must work together to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity in schools,” the statement said.
WVG, in the statement, also made recommendations to prevent future occurrences, including establishing policies and reporting mechanisms for bullying incidents, training teachers and staff on bullying prevention, educating students on the harmful effects of bullying, and strengthening parent-school collaboration.
“World Vision Ghana stands in solidarity with the affected students and their families. Every child has the right to a safe learning environment, free from fear and harassment. We will continue to advocate for child protection and work alongside key stakeholders to build safer schools.
“At World Vision, we envision a world where every child can thrive in a secure and nurturing environment. Bullying contradicts this vision, and we remain committed to advocating for policies and interventions that safeguard children’s rights,” the statement ended.
GNA