A coalition of 11 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has petitioned the National Teaching Council (NTC) to launch a full investigation into the conduct of Eric Buenortey Akpafio, a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School, following an alleged physical altercation with a female student.
The organisations, which operate in areas including education, child rights, gender, peace and security, and social accountability, are calling for a professional inquiry into the incident and any potential breaches of teaching standards and safeguarding obligations.
The petition comes in the wake of recent developments in the case, including a statement from the Judicial Service dismissing reports that a magistrate had advised the parties involved to settle the matter amicably outside court.
According to the Judicial Service, claims suggesting the court encouraged reconciliation were false and inconsistent with official records. Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed explained that proceedings at the Nkawie District Court showed the trial magistrate acted in accordance with the law after prosecutors applied to withdraw the case, which was subsequently struck out.
The incident attracted nationwide attention after a viral video showed the teacher and a female student engaged in a physical confrontation on the campus of Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School.
In their petition dated June 15, the CSOs urged the NTC to determine whether the teacher’s alleged actions breached provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, the National Teachers’ Standards, and other professional and safeguarding regulations.
“We respectfully request the National Teaching Council to investigate and determine professional misconduct through a full professional inquiry into the alleged conduct of the teacher, and determine whether it constitutes a breach of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, the National Teachers’ Standards, and any applicable professional or safeguarding obligations,” the petition stated.
The organisations further called on the NTC to assess the teacher’s fitness to practise, particularly regarding ethical conduct, learner protection, professional judgment, and the duty of care expected of educators.
They also urged the council to impose appropriate disciplinary measures should any professional misconduct be established.
In addition, the coalition called for greater efforts to strengthen safeguarding practices within schools by educating teachers on non-violent, child-centred and de-escalation approaches to discipline and conflict resolution.
The petitioners expressed confidence that the NTC would treat the matter with urgency in order to protect students, uphold professional standards and maintain public confidence in the teaching profession.
The organisations behind the petition include ActionAid Ghana, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), CREDA, FOSDA, CDD-Ghana, the Ghana Youth Manifesto Coalition, ICDP, Norsaac, the Northern Regional Youth Network, School for Life, and WiLDAF Ghana.
