By Stephandy Kyeraah
Accra, Aug. 21, GNA – The Ark Foundation, Ghana, has called for an urgent overhaul of school safeguarding policies following the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old autistic student.
The Foundation said the incident, allegedly involving two watchmen at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School, exposed gaps in child protection systems and disability-sensitive safeguards in schools.
In a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the Foundation described the incident as a “grave violation” and a “national stain on our collective conscience.”
It called on the Government and state authorities to introduce and enforce a comprehensive, survivor-centred national safeguarding policy across all educational institutions.
The Foundation also urged educational authorities to prioritise specialised protection for students with disabilities and make child protection training mandatory for all school staff and auxiliary workers.
It called on the Police and other state agencies to ensure access to legal justice, medical care and psychosocial support for survivors, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
The statement said female students with disabilities faced double jeopardy and remained disproportionately vulnerable to abuse in learning environments meant to nurture and protect them.
The Foundation said educational institutions must remain sanctuaries of learning and urged state stakeholders to address the cultural silence surrounding abuse and strengthen accountability measures to safeguard children.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey