By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
World Vision Ghana (WVG), a Non-Governmental Christian relief, development, and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice, has called on the education ministry, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and other stakeholders in Ghana’s education space to institute swift investigations into the bullying incidents at Accra Academy and Zuarungu Senior High School (SHS).
According to the WVG, swift investigations into cases, making the findings public, and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable will bring some sanity to the secondary education system.
The call, contained in a statement issued and signed by Child Protection and Advocacy Manager—WVG, Mr. Gregory L. Dery, also urged educational authorities to provide guidance and resources to schools to prevent and address bullying effectively.
The statement again admonished the government to reinforce policies and laws to combat bullying and also ensure strict enforcement to protect students.
Mr. Dery explained that bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting, devastating effects on the mental health, well-being, and academic performance of students. Adding that schools must be safe spaces where students feel protected, valued, and empowered to learn and grow.
Below is the full statement by World Vision Ghana:
World Vision Ghana condemns bullying at Accra Academy and Zuarungu SHS
World Vision Ghana is deeply concerned about the recent reports of bullying involving first-year students at Accra Academy and Zuarungu Senior High School.
These acts of intimidation and violence are unacceptable and demand urgent intervention from school authorities, educational stakeholders, and the government.
Bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting, devastating effects on the mental health, well-being, and academic performance of students. Schools must be safe spaces where students feel protected, valued, and empowered to learn and grow
Our Call to Action
We strongly condemn the reported incidents and urge the following immediate steps:
• Accountability: School authorities must swiftly investigate these cases and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
• Support Systems: Education authorities should provide guidance and resources to schools to prevent and address bullying effectively.
• Policy Strengthening: The government must reinforce policies and laws to combat bullying and ensure strict enforcement to protect students.
• Community Involvement: Parents, teachers, and students must work together to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity in schools.
Recommendations for Schools
To prevent future occurrences, we encourage schools to:
• Establish clear policies and reporting mechanisms for bullying incidents.
• Train teachers and staff on bullying prevention and intervention strategies.
• Educate students on the harmful effects of bullying and encourage them to report incidents.
• Strengthen parent-school collaboration to ensure students’ safety and well-being.
Standing with the Victims
World Vision Ghana stands in solidarity with the affected students and their families.
Every child has the right to a safe learning environment, free from fear and harassment. We will continue to advocate for child protection and work alongside key stakeholders to build safer schools.
World Vision’s Commitment to Ending Bullying
At World Vision, we envision a world where every child can thrive in a secure and nurturing environment. Bullying contradicts this vision, and we remain committed to advocating for policies and interventions that safeguard children’s rights.
Issued by
Gregory L. Dery
Child Protection and Advocacy Manager,
World Vision Ghana
—ENDS—
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