Eleven civil society organisations have petitioned the National Teaching Council to investigate a viral altercation involving a teacher and a student at Nyinahin Catholic SHS, calling for a fitness-to-practise review and stronger safeguarding measures.
Civil Society Groups Demand NTC Action Over Nyinahin Catholic SHS Incident
A coalition of eleven prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana has formally petitioned the National Teaching Council (NTC) to investigate a viral altercation involving a teacher and a female student at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School in the Ashanti Region.
The coalition is urging the Council to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into the matter, assess the teacher’s fitness to practise, and strengthen safeguarding measures across Ghana’s education system.
The petition, dated June 15, 2026, was addressed to the Registrar of the National Teaching Council, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, following widespread public concern generated by a video circulating on social media.
Viral Video Sparks National Debate
According to the petitioners, the video appears to show a physical confrontation between Mr. Eric Buenortey Akpafio, a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic SHS, and a female final-year student.
Reports indicate that the incident allegedly stemmed from a disagreement relating to hostel fees.
The video has attracted significant public attention and sparked nationwide discussions about teacher conduct, student welfare, disciplinary procedures, and child protection within Ghana’s educational institutions.
The coalition argues that the incident raises serious concerns about professional ethics and public confidence in the teaching profession.
CSOs Cite NTC’s Legal Mandate
The organisations contend that the matter falls squarely within the regulatory responsibilities of the National Teaching Council under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
According to the petition, NTC has a statutory responsibility to regulate teacher conduct, licensing, professional standards, and disciplinary accountability.
The coalition further referenced the National Teachers’ Standards (2017), which require teachers to:
- Protect the dignity and safety of learners
- Maintain professional conduct at all times
- Use positive and non-violent disciplinary approaches
- Promote safe and supportive learning environments
Key Demands Presented to NTC
The coalition outlined five major demands for the National Teaching Council.
1. Full Investigation Into the Incident
The CSOs are requesting a comprehensive inquiry to establish whether the teacher’s actions constitute a breach of:
- The Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023)
- The National Teachers’ Standards (2017)
- Professional safeguarding obligations
2. Fitness-to-Practise Assessment
The petition calls for a formal review of the teacher’s fitness to remain in the profession.
According to the coalition, the assessment should examine:
- Professional ethics
- Duty of care
- Learner protection responsibilities
- Professional judgment
- Classroom conduct
3. Application of Appropriate Sanctions
The organisations insist that where professional misconduct is established, NTC should apply sanctions in accordance with existing laws and disciplinary procedures.
4. Public Communication of Findings
The coalition further wants the Council to communicate the outcome of its investigations publicly and promptly.
According to the petitioners, transparency is essential for maintaining public confidence in teacher regulation and professional accountability.
5. Strengthening Safeguarding Measures
The groups are also advocating for nationwide teacher education programmes focused on:
- Child protection
- Safeguarding principles
- Positive discipline
- Conflict de-escalation strategies
- Non-violent classroom management approaches
Coalition Members Behind the Petition
The petition was jointly signed by eleven civil society organisations:
- ActionAid Ghana
- Africa Education Watch
- CDD-Ghana
- Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF Ghana)
- Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)
- Centre for Research and Development Alternatives (CREDA)
- International Child Development Programme (ICDP)
- Norsaac
- Northern Regional Youth Network
- School for Life
- Ghana Youth Manifesto Coalition
The coalition stated that safeguarding children and maintaining professional standards within schools should remain a national priority.
Wider Debate on Teacher Conduct and Child Protection
The petition comes at a time when Ghana continues to debate the balance between school discipline, teacher authority, and child protection.
Education experts have increasingly called for stronger safeguarding policies and professional development programmes to help teachers manage conflicts effectively without resorting to physical confrontation.
The incident has also renewed discussions about how educational institutions should respond when disciplinary issues become matters of public interest through social media exposure.
NTC Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, the National Teaching Council had not issued an official public response to the petition.
The Council remains the primary regulatory body responsible for teacher registration, licensing, professional standards enforcement, and disciplinary proceedings in Ghana.
Stakeholders across the education sector are expected to closely monitor the Council’s response and any subsequent investigations into the matter.
Implications for the Teaching Profession
Education analysts believe the outcome of the case could have significant implications for:
- Teacher accountability frameworks
- Child safeguarding policies
- Professional licensing standards
- School disciplinary practices
- Public trust in educational institutions
Many observers argue that the manner in which the case is handled will serve as an important test of Ghana’s evolving teacher regulatory system.
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