Haruna Iddrisu warns GNAT President against encouraging sexual harassment

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

In a viral audio file shared in a myjoyonline.com report on October 7, 2025, Rev Isaac Owusu is heard suggesting that male teachers could shift their attention from female students to unmarried female teachers; should they want to engage in amorous relationships in their education environment.

“The male teachers, we are pleading with you, if you want to do the thing, we have nice women and nice ladies who are single on our staff and in the community that we are working,” the report quoted Rev Isaac Owusu as saying while addressing teachers.

In a citinewsroom.com report on October 8, 2025, Iddrisu described the remarks as ‘inappropriate’ and tantamount to sexual harassment.

He stated that such comments have no place in a professional environment and undermine the government’s commitment to upholding ethics and protecting learners in schools.

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“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. So, the words of the GNAT President, who advised that male teachers who want to have sexual relations can do it with female teachers I am reminding him that even that will constitute sexual harassment as it goes against the teaching code of conduct,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the education ministry’s commitment to enforcing discipline and professionalism across the sector, warning that any teacher found engaging in misconduct would face strict sanctions.

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