Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has issued a stern warning, declaring strict action against teachers who abuse their positions to harass or sexually misconduct female students. Speaking emphatically at the 2025 Ghana Teacher Prize held in Ho, she condemned all incidents of violence and misconduct in schools, characterizing them as "a betrayal of trust" and a profound disgrace to the noble teaching profession. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the gravity of cases involving educators, especially those in leadership roles, asserting that such egregious acts would no longer be overlooked or excused.

During her address, the Vice President articulated, "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 further clarified that disciplinary transfers would not serve as a lenient form of punishment for these serious offenses. "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," she stated firmly.

These strong declarations come in the wake of two high-profile cases of alleged sexual misconduct that have drawn widespread national concern within the past week. At the KNUST Senior High School, the Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academics was swiftly removed from his position after a video, allegedly showing him in a compromising situation with a female student, circulated widely online. Similarly, at Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School in the Oti Region, a teacher faced interdiction following a viral video purportedly implicating him in sexual misconduct. The Ghana Education Service (GES) promptly condemned both incidents as "unacceptable, unethical, and a clear violation of professional conduct," reaffirming that the safeguarding of students remains its paramount priority.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the multifaceted role of educators, describing them as "architects of possibility." She emphasized that teachers are not solely responsible for imparting academic knowledge but also bear the crucial responsibility of shaping character and instilling values in their students. She urged the teaching fraternity to embrace continuous mentorship, foster innovation, and commit to lifelong learning, reminding them of their profound and lasting influence that extends far beyond the confines of the classroom.

In a move designed to bolster accountability and oversight within the education system, the Vice President announced the nationwide revival of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). This initiative aims to foster stronger community involvement and increased participation in monitoring schools, thereby creating a more robust system of checks and balances. She lauded the ongoing collaborative efforts with teacher unions and the National Teaching Council, bodies that are actively working towards the professionalization of teaching, rigorous enforcement of discipline, and the consistent upholding of educational standards.

Adding his voice to the condemnations, Rev. Isaac Owusu, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), unequivocally denounced the inappropriate conduct targeting female students. He reminded teachers of their solemn duty of care, cautioning them against exploiting the girl child entrusted to their supervision. Rev. Owusu stated, "We disassociate ourselves as your union leaders from this bad behavior. On our staff and in our communities, we have single female teachers—do not harm the students we are entrusted to teach," thereby reinforcing the collective commitment of teacher leadership to ethical conduct and student protection.