Child Rights International (CRI) has issued a fervent appeal to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Police, and National Security to initiate a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the untimely demise of a first-year student at the Aburi Girls Senior High School.
Expressing profound sadness over the tragic incident, reportedly occurring on Monday, February 5, 2024, subsequent to the student’s complaints of intense abdominal discomfort, CRI underscored the urgency of conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the facts surrounding the unfortunate event.
“This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for reforms and regulatory regimes in senior high schools to protect students’ health and safety. CRI reiterates its commitment to advocating the rights and protection of children in Ghana,” stated in a statement signed by the Executive Director of CRI, Bright Appiah.
In its call for transparency, CRI emphasized the paramount importance of making the findings of the investigation public. This transparency, the organization contends, is crucial for ensuring accountability and fostering trust in the process.
Furthermore, CRI articulated grave concerns regarding the adequacy of medical care provision and the effectiveness of safeguarding policies within educational institutions, prompted by the distressing incident. The organization’s statement highlights the need for a critical examination of existing protocols to prevent similar occurrences and ensure the safety and well-being of students across the nation’s schools.
“In most cases, the regulatory regime in our schools has served the interest of exercising administrative powers and maintenance of physical structures rather than protecting the rights and lives of children, and this has led to excessive exercise of discretionary powers in our junior and senior high schools.
“This has totally neglected the protection concept of rights that ought to be the centre of regulations in school systems, Mr Appiah stated.
The Executive Director of the CRI lamented that this unfortunate reality has led to multiple casualties in certain senior high schools (SHSs), with students losing their lives due to the lack of access to medical care.
“Incidents of this nature have occurred in schools such as Achimota Senior High, Wesley Girls, and Akim Swedru Senior High Schools.
This concerning trend poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of students, necessitating urgent action,” the Executive Director emphasised.
He highlighted that although the regulatory framework of the Ministry of Education and the GES aimed to empower the latter to exert authority over schools, the administrative approach often led to sanctions being imposed without holding individuals accountable. This failure to address the specific actions or behaviors of those responsible has resulted in numerous casualties in certain senior high schools (SHSs).
A first-year student, identified as Stacy Okyere, reportedly passed away after experiencing severe stomach pains. Despite seeking medical attention at the school’s sickbay, she did not receive the necessary care and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Her body has been transferred to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong-Akuapem for autopsy.
In response to this tragic incident, the GES has established a nine-member committee to investigate the matter. Additionally, they are collaborating with law enforcement agencies to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident.
In a press statement released on Monday, February 12, the GES disclosed that its Director-General had visited both the school and the home of the grieving family. Signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the statement conveyed sincere condolences to the friends and relatives of the deceased.
“Management has also deployed a nine-member team of counsellors to beef up the Guidance and Counselling Department of the school to provide psycho-social support for the students and staff.
“Meanwhile, an internal investigation is ongoing and Management is also working closely with the law enforcement agencies to independently investigate the matter,” the GES statement said.
