The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School (BOGISS) has called for a full and transparent investigation into the "extremely disturbing" alleged defilement of a 14-year-old student living with autism.

The Ghana Police Service has reported that two security personnel attached to the school are implicated in the case.

In a statement dated Monday, August 24, the PTA said it was following the case with “deep concern,” and urged authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible faces the full force of the law.

“The PTA condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the alleged defilement of a student of this school. No child entrusted to the care of BOGISS should ever suffer any form of sexual abuse, exploitation, or harm, and we consider the allegations extremely disturbing. We commend the swift arrest of the two suspects by the Ghana Police Service and their interdiction by the Ghana Education Service (GES), and we call for full, transparent, and expeditious investigations, with the harshest sanctions applied to anyone found culpable under the law.”

The PTA also asked the authorities handling the case to ensure the student is adequately supported, while investigation progresses.

“The PTA further calls on GES, the Department of Social Welfare, and relevant child-protection agencies to ensure that the affected student receives the counselling, medical care, and protection she needs, and that her welfare, dignity, and educational future are safeguarded throughout the process. Any decision affecting her status as a student should be guided first and foremost by her best interests, in line with standard child-protection practice.”

The PTA said the student’s best interests should remain central to any decision concerning her continued education at BOGISS.