The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has urged authorities to resort to prosecution as a measure in stopping the incessant harassment of female students in the country’s basic and secondary schools.

Such a measure, GNAT says will not only save the future of such girls but also help restore the lost glory of the profession as many Ghanaians are sceptical about the work of teachers especially those at the basic and secondary levels.

It should be noted that some female students in the Assin districts of the Central region accused their teachers of demanding sex from them in exchange for grades.

The girls indicated that those who refused such advances from their teachers suffered humiliation and other forms of punishments in the hands of the said teachers.

The report, according to authorities in the education sector was not only restricted to the schools in Assin area as there have been some media reports of students from other parts of the country facing similar harassment by their teachers.

Speaking to Starr News, the central regional secretary of the GNAT, Buadu Abedu William called on parents to stop settling such matters at home when they pop up.

According to him, the prosecution will cause recalcitrant teachers to desist from such acts as the future of such girls get jeopardised in the process with many being unable to complete their education as pregnancies set in.

He also urged government to fast track the licensing of teachers as the measure will also help regulate the actions of teachers with licenses of the recalcitrant teachers being revoked to serve as deterrent.

Speaking to Starr News’ Central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour ahead of the union’s 5th quadrennial delegate’s conference which starts in Cape Coast Tuesday, Mr. Abedu said they will take a strong stand on teachers who engage in acts that tarnish the image of the profession including those who engage in sexual acts with students in their care.