PRESS RELEASE: THE DISMISSAL OF CHIANA SHS STUDENTS INVOLVED IN VIRAL SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO

CRI, an organization mandated to ensure the protection, welfare and equality of children’s rights
and privileges;

1. Has sighted a letter issued by the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the 29th of November, 2022, with the reference number GES/DG/247/22/421 and signed by Dr. Eric Nkansah AG. Director- General to dismiss the five (5) students of Chiana Senior High School in Kassena Nankana West District involved in the viral social media video, where these students were allegedly believed to be misconducting themselves by using unprintable and vulgar words against the President of the Republic of Ghana.

2. On the 17th of November, 2022, CRI issued a statement condemning the conduct of the students involved in the said viral video. CRI called for a proper system to be implemented to rehabilitate and correct the behaviour of the students as opposed to setting them as examples or victimizing them.

3. On the 14th of November, 2022, GES released a statement titled “VIRAL VIDEO OF CHIANA SHS STUDENTS’ MISCONDUCT” with the reference number GES/PR/RELEASE/84 signed by the Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo. In this press release, GES vowed that “Management of the school has begun investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding such unfortunate utterances and gestures. Parents of the students have also been invited to assist in the investigations.” The press release issued by the GES further stated that: “We wish to also assure the general public that the outcome of the investigations will be made known as soon as it is concluded”.

4. CRI therefore hinges on the above statements to call on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to publish the findings of their investigations to the general public as stated in their earlier press release, highlighting the concerns of due processes followed in arriving at the conclusion of dismissal vis-a-vis the best interest of the child as enshrined in the Children’s Act (560) 1998.

CRI stands by the belief that “Educational and moral principles are not subjects of dismissal that further deny children their right to education, on the contrary, such behaviours exhibited must be subjected to correctional and rehabilitation programmes to ensure and uphold the best interest of the child in all matters involving children and their education. The conduct of the state has always expressed interest in protecting children rather than victimizing them

Signed by

Bright Kweku Appiah, Executive Director