A coalition of 11 civil society organisations (CSOs) has formally petitioned the National Teaching Council (NTC) to investigate an alleged physical altercation. This incident reportedly involved a teacher and a female student at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School in the Ashanti Region.
The CSOs, active in education, child rights, and gender equality, seek a full professional inquiry into the alleged conduct of Mr. Eric Buenortey Akpafio. This teacher from Nyinahin SHS reportedly engaged in a physical confrontation with a final-year female student. A widely circulated video of the incident has raised significant public concern about professional standards within the teaching profession.
This petition comes amid broader discussions on teacher accountability and student safety in Ghanaian schools. Ghana’s education sector, which is a major recipient of government spending, faces ongoing challenges to ensure quality and secure learning environments. Prior incidents involving teacher misconduct have periodically drawn national attention, underscoring the need for robust regulatory oversight by bodies like the NTC.
The petitioners stated that the matter has “generated widespread public concern” and questioned professional conduct. These matters fall within the NTC's statutory mandate for teacher licensing and professional regulation. The Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), mandates the NTC to oversee teacher conduct and disciplinary procedures. The National Teachers’ Standards (2017) also require teachers to uphold ethics, protect learners, and apply non-violent behaviour management.
The civil society groups are urging the NTC to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct. They want the NTC to determine if the teacher's actions breached the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, and the National Teachers’ Standards. The groups also demand an assessment of the teacher’s suitability to remain in the profession, focusing on ethical conduct and learner protection. They insist that any established wrongdoing must lead to appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
These demands for accountability reflect growing calls for transparency in disciplinary processes within the public sector. The NTC's response will be closely watched by stakeholders concerned with educational governance and child protection. This incident could influence future policy decisions regarding teacher training protocols and the implementation of safeguarding measures in Ghanaian secondary schools. Stronger enforcement of professional standards could improve public confidence in the education system. It may also lead to a review of existing mechanisms for addressing grievances and misconduct.
The NTC holds a critical role in maintaining standards across Ghana's teaching workforce, which stands at over 350,000 professional teachers. Upholding professional integrity is key to ensuring a conducive learning environment for Ghana's more than 9.2 million students across all educational levels. The outcome of this investigation will set a precedent for addressing similar cases and reinforcing trust in the teaching profession.