The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) has commended the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Upper East Regional Police Command for their response to the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student with autism at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS), while demanding full accountability under Ghanaian law.
In a statement dated August 20, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Gapson Kofi Raphael, the NCPTAs said it had taken due notice of the coordinated statements issued by the three institutions concerning the incident.
The Council, which describes itself as the apex body representing parents and PTAs across Ghana, said it speaks with both the grief of parents and the resolve of citizens to protect every child in the country’s schools.
Commendation of state institutions
The NCPTAs specifically praised:
The Ministry of Education, under Minister Haruna Iddrisu, for its immediate condemnation of the act, directive for investigation, provision of medical and psychosocial support to the victim, and the order for the immediate reinstatement of the student’s boarding status.
The Ghana Education Service for the prompt interdiction of the two watchmen involved and the assurance that further disciplinary action would follow in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct for Staff.
The Ghana Police Service, Upper East Region, for the arrest of suspects Elvis Adongo, 38, and Adams Nyaaba Iddrisu, 72, and the commitment to prosecute them before court.
The Council described these actions as a demonstration of institutional responsibility and urged that the momentum be sustained to its logical conclusion.
Position and demands
The NCPTAs reaffirmed the Ministry’s position that no child, particularly a child with special needs, can be held responsible for sexual abuse perpetrated by an adult. It stressed that the victim deserves protection, dignity and full support, not stigma.
The association expressed deep disturbance that one of the suspects is a 72-year-old man engaged as a school security officer. It questioned the basis and justification for employing a person of retirement age in a role that demands vigilance, strength and sound judgement to protect children, stating that schools must not be a dumping ground for public service retirees.
The NCPTAs called on GES to sanitise its space and institute an immediate policy shift to engage strong, alert and vibrant youth of character and integrity as security personnel, properly vetted and trained.
Two-pronged approach to justice
The Council demanded both administrative accountability and criminal prosecution.
On the administrative side, it called on GES to ensure that the interdicted staff are dismissed in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct and debarred from public service. It further urged GES to:
Conduct a nationwide vetting and audit of all security personnel and other non-teaching staff in schools, including age, background checks and fitness for duty.
Institute mandatory child protection and safeguarding training, with specific modules for handling students with special educational needs.
Review recruitment practices to ensure schools are staffed with personnel who can effectively safeguard students.
On the criminal side, the NCPTAs called on the Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary to ensure diligent prosecution under:
Section 101 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) on defilement of a child under 16 years.
The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) on protection of children from abuse and exploitation.
Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana on the right of every child to protection from physical and moral harm.
It insisted there should be no plea bargains and no delays, stating that justice must be seen to be done.
Call to parents, schools and stakeholders
The NCPTAs urged all Regional and School PTAs to collaborate with school management and GES to strengthen safeguarding measures, including monitored access points, safe and supervised device-charging areas, and strict visitor logs. It also called for the inclusion of child protection education in PTA meetings.
The Council specifically charged the BOGISS PTA Chairman and his executives, as well as the Upper East Regional NCPTA Chairman and his executives, to show immediate solidarity, take a keen interest, stand with the victim and her family, and cooperate fully with state institutions to ensure justice is pursued without compromise.
It extended solidarity to the family of the BOGISS student and assured the victim that the entire parent community stands behind her and will ensure her recovery and rights are prioritised.
“Ghanaian parents are united on this. We will not accept silence. We will not accept impunity. We demand a school system that is safe, dignified, and accountable,” the statement concluded.
