Education Minister Condemns GNAT President’s Remarks on Teacher-Student Relationships

Gespages October 8, 2025

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Education Minister Condemns GNAT President’s Remarks on Teacher-Student Relationships

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has strongly condemned recent comments made by the President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Reverend Isaac Owusu, urging male teachers to avoid sexual relationships with students and instead pursue female colleagues.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Dr. Leonard Kaledzi Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence Education at Anloga on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu described the remarks as “inappropriate” and a form of sexual harassment. He emphasized that such statements have no place in a professional setting and undermine ongoing efforts to promote ethics, discipline, and the protection of learners in schools.

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According to the Minister, the education sector must uphold the highest standards of conduct to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for all students. “We will punish any teacher found in any compromising act with a female student because it does not guarantee safety and learning in the environment,” he stated. Mr. Iddrisu further cautioned that encouraging relationships between colleagues, as suggested by the GNAT President, could also amount to sexual harassment under the teaching code of conduct.

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He reiterated the Ministry’s firm stance on enforcing discipline within the education system, noting that professionalism must guide all teacher-student and staff interactions. “I am reminding him that even that will constitute sexual harassment as it goes against the teaching code of conduct,” Mr. Iddrisu added.

The Minister assured that his ministry remains committed to protecting the welfare of both students and teachers while maintaining ethical integrity in Ghana’s educational institutions. He warned that any teacher found guilty of misconduct or unprofessional behavior would face strict disciplinary action in accordance with established regulations.