A teacher at Ekumpoano Catholic Basic School, Stephen Desu, has raised concerns about transactional sex in schools, arguing that financial hardship can leave some female students vulnerable to inappropriate relationships with teachers.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, October 20, Mr Desu said discussions about sexual misconduct in schools should also examine the economic pressures facing students and how some adults may exploit those vulnerabilities.
His comments came during a discussion prompted by allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
“There are girls in schools who position themselves to sexually exploit teachers for their money whilst teachers get sex from them in a transactional relationship,” Mr Desu said.
He claimed that financial difficulties, including challenges with food and personal expenses, had in some instances created conditions for improper relationships between teachers and students.
Parents Urged to Pay Attention
Mr Desu asked parents to pay closer attention to how their children meet their financial needs while away at school.
“If you leave your girl child in school and you don't support her with money and she's surviving, you as a parent, what makes you think that that child is surviving just because she's just there?” he asked.
His comments, however, touch on a sensitive safeguarding issue. Even where money or gifts are involved, teachers occupy positions of authority over students and have a professional duty to protect those under their care.
Safeguarding specialists have stressed that seemingly routine interactions can become problematic when professional boundaries are crossed.
Amartei K. Amartey, a safeguarding officer, told the same programme that asking a female student to deliver food to a staff member’s home would itself raise safeguarding concerns.
Obuasi SHTS Case Fuels Scrutiny
The discussion follows allegations against Obuasi SHTS headmaster Zakaria Abdulai, who has been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service while investigations continue.
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka disclosed on October 20 that Mr Abdulai had also been arrested and that the case had been moved to Police Headquarters for further investigation. His arrest does not establish guilt, and the allegations remain subject to investigation.
The GES has additionally asked the Ashanti Regional Director of Education and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education to step aside while the investigation proceeds.
Mr Desu said the teaching profession must confront misconduct within its ranks rather than assume that a large workforce will be free of offenders.
The wider debate now extends beyond individual allegations to how schools handle complaints, enforce professional boundaries and protect students whose financial circumstances may make them particularly vulnerable to coercion or exploitation.
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