Bolgatanga: Former Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, has criticized the management of Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School (BOGISS) over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old student by two security guards. Abayage, who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's administration, shared her concerns through a letter on social media, emphasizing the inadequacy of the school's response.
According to Ghana Web, the letter from Abayage highlights the measures reportedly taken by the school following the investigation into the alleged incident. The school decided to place the student on day status for one academic year, refer her to the Guidance and Counselling Unit for counselling, and require her parents to arrange medical attention and submit a medical report. The letter, signed by the headmistress, Gifty Ayamba, was also circulated to the Municipal Director of Education, the School Disciplinary Committee, and included in the student's personal file, referencing the Ghana Education Service Code of Conduct for Students in Pre-Tertiary Institutions.
Abayage expressed dissatisfaction with these measures, questioning the rationale behind subjecting the student to disciplinary action after the alleged incident. She criticized the administration's handling of the situation, particularly given the student's vulnerability, as she is on the autism spectrum. Abayage called for swift intervention by the relevant authorities to withdraw what she described as a 'bogus letter' and to ensure that legal action is taken against the alleged perpetrators.
Furthermore, Abayage urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to thoroughly investigate the matter and hold the school's headmistress accountable for the decisions taken.