Protect vulnerable girls, not GES reputation – Dr Kwabena Tandoh

Dr Kwabena B. Tandoh, the former Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has emphasized the importance of safeguarding vulnerable girls in schools over protecting the reputation of the GES or other educational institutions. During an interview on The Pulse with Fostina Sarfo, Dr Tandoh stressed that the primary responsibility of educational leaders is to protect children, not the institutions themselves.

He argued that allegations of abuse uncovered through documentaries should prompt a deeper investigation into the systems in place to protect students, rather than accepting the initial reports as definitive.

Dr Tandoh cautioned against treating documentary revelations of abuse as conclusive evidence, suggesting instead that such findings signal a deeper issue within the educational system. He urged a focus on whether the education system possesses the capability to safeguard children and address misconduct effectively. "It is a symptom of an ill-equipped system to really protect children and to really take care of what needs to be done in the schools," he explained.

Moreover, Dr Tandoh questioned the composition and mandate of the committee established by the GES in response to recent violent demonstrations on August 4 and 5. While acknowledging the committee's positive administrative role, he noted that its purpose was limited to investigating the causes of the unrest following the demonstrations.

The committee's mandate was specifically constrained by its terms of reference, which dictated its scope of investigation. Dr Tandoh underscored that the committee's work was inherently limited by these parameters, distinguishing it from the broader duty of education authorities to ensure school safety for all students. His remarks highlighted the need to address systemic weaknesses in child protection systems before allowing concerns over institutional reputation to overshadow student welfare.