MR. S.K. APPIAH AND MADAM OFORIWAA AND COL. ADWINI

The complainant alleged that his six-year-old son was unfairly dismissed from the 5 Garrison Educational Unit after being accused of inappropriate and deviant behavior at school, including bullying and sexual misconduct. The headmistress and Colonel Adwini, the Chief Garrison Educational Officer, maintained that the boy exhibited persistent misconduct and that the complainant failed to cooperate with the school authorities to address the behavior. The complainant was invited multiple times to discuss the issues but did not attend or accept the allegations. A meeting was held on 3rd July 2008 with school officials and witnesses, but the complainant reacted angrily and refused to cooperate. The boy was advised to be withdrawn from the school to allow for reform in a new environment.

INTRODUCTION In a complaint received on 31st July 2008, the Complainant petitioned the Commission alleging that his six year old son had been unfairly dismissed from the 5 Garrison Educational Unit and entreated the Commission to investigate the matter and ensure that the school was sanctioned appropriately. COMPLAINANT'S CASE The Complainant stated that Madam Oforiwaa (Headmistress of the Central Nursery) initially refused to admit his six year old son into the school because she claimed that he did not obtain the admission form from her. She however admitted him reluctantly after several pleas. The headmistress, sometime during in the second term (academic) informed him that his son had been punished for pulling his penis out and chasing after girls saying that he will rape them. This came as a surprise to him because his son had never exhibited such behaviour at home or his former school. After this incident, he occasionally visited the school with his wife to enquire about the b...