Bolgatanga Girls SHS Sexual Abuse Case Deepens as Two Watchmen Face Court and Education Ministry Orders Victim’s Reinstatement
By News on Dew | August 21, 2026
The alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student with special educational needs at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS) in the Upper East Region has taken a significant turn, with two school security personnel arrested, interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES), and subsequently remanded by a Bolgatanga Circuit Court.
The case has also triggered strong condemnation from the Ministry of Education after concerns emerged over the manner in which the student was treated following the alleged abuse.
The development has raised broader questions about child protection, school safeguarding procedures and the treatment of vulnerable students within Ghana’s second-cycle institutions.
Two watchmen arrested and interdicted
The Upper East Regional Police Command has identified the two accused persons as 38-year-old Elvis Adongo and 72-year-old Adams Nyaaba Iddrisu.
According to preliminary police information, the student allegedly went to a security room at the school to charge her tablet when one of the security personnel allegedly forced her and had sexual intercourse with her.
Police investigations subsequently linked the second security man to the alleged sexual activity involving the student. Police said one of the accused allegedly admitted to having a sexual relationship with the student when questioned by school authorities.
The police have since prepared a medical form to facilitate a medical examination as part of the investigation.
Both suspects were arrested and placed in police custody to assist with investigations.
The GES has also interdicted the two watchmen with immediate effect, stressing that the administrative action was an initial measure while investigations continue.
The Service said appropriate sanctions would be applied in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct and the laws of Ghana, depending on the outcome of the investigations.
Court remands suspects
The criminal case has now moved to court.
The two accused persons were arraigned before a Circuit Court in Bolgatanga on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The court, presided over by His Honour Sumaila Mbache Ahmadu, did not take their pleas and ordered that they remain in custody.
They are expected to return to court on September 2, 2026.
The prosecution is being handled by Inspector Baliki Amidu Issaka. One of the accused was represented by counsel Richard Adazabra, while the second accused was reportedly without legal representation at the hearing.
The allegations remain subject to the judicial process, and the accused persons are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until determined otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Ministry condemns treatment of student
While the criminal investigation focuses on the alleged conduct of the two security personnel, a separate controversy has emerged over the school’s disciplinary response to the student.
The Ministry of Education has condemned the alleged abuse in the strongest terms and stressed that a child cannot be held responsible for sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated against her by an adult.
The Ministry said schools have a responsibility to protect and nurture students and that any breach of that responsibility, particularly involving vulnerable children, is unacceptable.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the GES to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case and report its findings.
The Ministry has also directed that the student receive appropriate medical attention and counselling and that her boarding status be immediately reinstated.
Controversy over deboarding decision
The issue became more contentious following a disciplinary letter reportedly issued by the school on July 20, 2026.
According to Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), the school found the student guilty of what it described as “sexual misconduct” and withdrew her boarding status for one academic year.
Eduwatch said the letter indicated that dismissal would ordinarily have been the prescribed disciplinary measure, but that the punishment was reduced to deboarding because of the student’s medical condition.
The organisation has strongly challenged that decision, arguing that a 14-year-old allegedly abused by adults should be treated primarily as a child in need of protection and support rather than as a participant in the alleged misconduct.
The Ministry’s subsequent directive to reinstate the student’s boarding status has therefore become a major development in the case.
Deputy Education Minister: “Badly and poorly handled”
Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Abass Apaak has also criticised the handling of the matter by the school and education authorities.
Dr Apaak said the response should have been faster and more decisive when the matter was first reported.
He questioned the actions of the school’s headmistress as well as the Municipal and Regional Education Directorates, arguing that the relevant authorities had a responsibility to respond appropriately before the matter attracted wider public attention.
He further indicated that the government does not agree with the disciplinary approach taken against the student and linked the matter to the government’s commitment to inclusive education.
Dr Apaak described the handling of the case by the school and education authorities as “badly and poorly handled” and said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had tasked him with following up on the matter.
Eduwatch demands independent review
Africa Education Watch has called for an independent review of the school’s disciplinary decision.
The organisation is asking the GES to establish whether the finding of “sexual misconduct” against the student and the subsequent withdrawal of her boarding status were appropriate.
Eduwatch has also raised questions about the timeline of the alleged incidents and the school’s response.
According to information cited by the organisation, the alleged incidents may have started in the last week of June and continued into July. Eduwatch says the student initially disclosed the alleged involvement of one security guard before another security personnel was subsequently identified.
The organisation wants investigators to establish:
– When the student first disclosed the alleged abuse;
– Who received the disclosure;
– What immediate protective measures were taken;
– Whether the accused personnel continued to have access to students after the first disclosure;- When the Police and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) were contacted; and- Whether appropriate child-protection procedures were followed.
Eduwatch has also called for a comprehensive safeguarding audit of Bolgatanga Girls SHS, including the recruitment, vetting and supervision of security personnel, staff access to students and restricted areas, reporting procedures and the implementation of child-protection guidelines.
Wider concerns about school safety
The BOGISS case has moved beyond a single alleged criminal incident and sparked a wider discussion about how vulnerable students are protected in schools.
The GES has reminded staff that they are required to maintain professional standards and protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every student.
The Service has also stated that it will not tolerate conduct that compromises the safety and welfare of students.
For child-protection advocates, the central issue is not only establishing criminal responsibility but also determining whether institutional systems were strong enough to protect the student once concerns were raised.
Eduwatch has therefore called for stronger safeguarding mechanisms, regular training for school authorities and designated child-protection officers, and measures to prevent similar incidents in schools across the country.
Investigation continues
As the police investigation and court proceedings continue, authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations, including the sequence of events, the conduct of the accused persons and the response of school officials.
The Ministry of Education has meanwhile ordered the GES to investigate the institutional handling of the matter, while the two security personnel remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The student’s identity has not been disclosed, in keeping with the need to protect the privacy and dignity of a minor involved in an alleged sexual offence.
The next major legal development is expected when the two accused persons return to court on September 2, 2026.
The case has consequently become a significant test of Ghana’s child-protection and safeguarding systems, particularly in relation to vulnerable students and the responsibility of schools to provide a safe learning environment.
News on Dew will continue to follow the case and provide verified updates as the investigations and court proceedings progress.
Sources: Ghana News Agency, Ghana Education Service statements and current reports on the Ministry of Education’s response and Eduwatch’s intervention.
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