Lawyer and energy expert Lom-Nuku Ahlijah has urged schools to urgently adopt technology, including CCTV cameras. This push aims to enhance accountability and ensure accurate investigations into disputes between teachers and students.
This call stems from a widely circulated video from Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School. The video allegedly depicted a teacher assaulting a student, leading to the teacher's arrest and widespread national concern. Mr. Ahlijah emphasized that technological systems offer objective evidence for disciplinary incidents.
The current lack of direct oversight in many schools makes robust fact-finding difficult. This challenge often obstructs a clear understanding of unfolding events. Ghana has seen ongoing public discussions about student welfare and teacher conduct, with several prior incidents highlighting the need for improved accountability. For instance, the Ghana Education Service (GES) frequently receives complaints regarding teacher discipline.
Mr. Ahlijah, speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on June 10, stated, “Introducing technology is essential because if you do not have direct oversight of a situation, you must have a reliable means of ascertaining the facts.” He specifically noted that CCTV cameras could clarify events during disputes. “If, for instance, there were CCTV cameras around, we would know who the instigator was and all of that,” he added. The expert also highlighted the unreliability of eyewitness accounts in such sensitive situations. He explained that fear of persecution might prevent individuals from telling the full truth.
Implementing such technology across Ghanaian schools will require significant financial investment. For context, the GETFund is already set to invest over GHS 10 million in modern schools for Wa East communities. Providing technology to even a fraction of Ghana's over 26,000 public basic schools and 900 senior high schools would involve substantial spending. Such an investment would need to be prioritized within the national education budget. This ensures funds are allocated for surveillance installation and maintenance, along with potential training for staff.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) will likely face increased pressure to address these calls for technology adoption. Decision-makers must weigh the financial implications against the benefits of improved student safety and teacher accountability. The incident at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School, coupled with similar past events, signals a growing demand for modern safeguards. Stronger accountability mechanisms in Ghanaian schools are now a critical focus for both parents and policymakers. This move towards technology could fundamentally change how disciplinary actions are investigated and resolved in the future.