Eduwatch calls for review of BOGISS sanction against 14-year-old student

Education watchdog Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has called for an independent review of a disciplinary sanction imposed on a 14-year-old student at Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School (BOGISS) who is alleged to have been sexually abused by two security personnel.

Eduwatch says the student was found guilty of “sexual misconduct” by the school and had her boarding status withdrawn for one academic year.

The organisation is asking the Ghana Education Service (GES) to review the decision and determine whether the finding and subsequent deboarding were appropriate in the circumstances.

According to Eduwatch, the school's letter, dated 20 July 2026, indicated that dismissal would ordinarily have been the prescribed sanction, but that the punishment was reduced to deboarding because of the student's medical condition.

The organisation argues that the student should instead have been treated primarily as a child requiring protection and support.

“A 14-year-old allegedly sexually abused by adults must first and foremost be treated as a child requiring protection, not as a consenting participant in the conduct of adults,” Eduwatch said.

Questions over handling of allegations

Eduwatch has also raised questions about how the alleged abuse was handled after the student first disclosed it.

The organisation says information available to it suggests the alleged incidents began in the last week of June and continued into July.

According to Eduwatch, the student initially disclosed the alleged involvement of one security guard before subsequently identifying another.

It wants the GES investigation to establish when the first disclosure was made, who received it and what immediate protective measures were taken.

It is also asking investigators to determine whether the two accused security personnel continued to have access to students after the disclosure and when the matter was referred to the police, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and other relevant child-protection authorities.

The allegations have not been established in court, and the accused persons are entitled to due process.

Call for wider safeguarding audit

Eduwatch says the issue goes beyond the disciplinary decision involving the student.

It is calling for a comprehensive safeguarding audit of BOGISS, including an examination of how staff are recruited, vetted and supervised.

The proposed audit would also assess staff access to students and restricted areas, reporting and referral procedures, and the implementation of child-protection and safeguarding guidelines.

Eduwatch says the review should identify any institutional weaknesses that may have contributed to the alleged incident and strengthen measures to protect students from abuse.

The call comes after the Education Ministry condemned the alleged sexual abuse and directed the GES to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.

The GES has also interdicted the two watchmen accused in connection with the alleged assault and handed them over to police to assist with investigations.

The Education Ministry has said the student should receive medical attention and counselling and directed that her boarding status be reinstated.

Eduwatch's latest intervention puts the school's disciplinary response and safeguarding procedures at the centre of the wider controversy.