Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has vowed strict action against teachers who abuse their positions to harass female students, sending a stern warning to anyone who violates the trust placed in educators.

Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Teacher Prize in Ho, the Vice President condemned incidents of violence and misconduct in schools, calling them “a betrayal of trust” and a disgrace to the teaching profession. She highlighted cases involving teachers in leadership positions, warning that such acts would no longer be ignored.

"Leadership cannot ignore those teachers and others in positions of power who abuse our young people. The recent events involving one of our teachers in a management position are a case in point. As teachers, we must always remember that we are placed in a position of trust, protection, and empathy. The power given to us is to facilitate learning. We will not wait to apply sanctions to those who violate this trust," she said.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang described teachers as “architects of possibility,” responsible not only for imparting knowledge but also for shaping character and values in students. She urged educators to embrace mentorship, innovation and lifelong learning, reminding them that their influence extends far beyond the classroom.

Over the past week, two teachers have been removed from their positions following separate incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, sparking widespread concern across the country. At the KNUST Senior High School, the Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academics was removed after a video circulated online showing him in a compromising situation with a female student. In a separate case at Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School in the Oti Region, a teacher was interdicted after a video allegedly implicating him in sexual misconduct went viral on social media.

The Ghana Education Service described both cases as “unacceptable, unethical and a clear violation of professional conduct,' emphasising that safeguarding students is a top priority.

Meanwhile, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability, the Vice President announced the revival of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) nationwide, calling for increased community participation to monitor schools. She praised the ongoing collaboration with teacher unions and the National Teaching Council, which are working to professionalise teaching, enforce discipline, and uphold standards.

"Transfers are not punishments. So they should never be used for those who abuse our children, who betray their trust, and those who disgrace our profession. The government has also decided to revive PTAs to encourage broader participation in forming our young learners."

Also speaking at the event, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev. Isaac Owusu condemned the inappropriate conduct toward female students, reminding teachers that the girl child in their care is not for exploitation.

“We disassociate ourselves as your union leaders from this bad behavior,” Rev. Owusu said. “On our staff and in our communities, we have single female teachers - do not harm the students we are entrusted to teach,” he said.

In a move aimed at strengthening accountability, the Vice President announced the revival of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) nationwide, calling for increased community participation to monitor schools. She praised the ongoing collaboration with teacher unions and the National Teaching Council, which are working to professionalise teaching, enforce discipline and uphold standards.