The suspended Assistant Headmaster of the Kumasi High School, George Amponsah-Duodo, has insisted he is innocent, following allegations that he sodomized some students of the school.
Describing the allegations as baseless in a letter from his lawyers, Mr. Amponsah-Duodo insisted that he has not had any contact with the alleged victim.
The lawyers argued that the committee looking into the allegations has been “necessitated merely by hearsay or some assertion without any concrete documentary or evidential proof.”
Four students are so far said to have leveled allegations against the Assistant school head.
According to a letter from the head of the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) legal unit sighted by Citi News, during investigations, the Assistant Headmaster’s name was cited by a final year student of the school identified as Lucien Dankwa, as having introduced him to homosexuality.
“It is our client’s submission that at no point in time in his professional career has he ever had any form of physical contact with the said students,” the letter said.
It added that “our client intimates that he is not homosexual and has been married for the past 18 years with four children.”
Mr. Amponsah-Duodo’s lawyers also urged the committee investigating the matter to “compel Lucien Dankwa to provide proof of the allegation of sexual misconduct or homosexual act if any.”
It is important to point out that as a matter of law, the person who alleges bears the burden of proof. It is therefore not enough to make bare assertions or allegations and that any allegations made against any person ought to be backed by evidence to substantiate same.
The lawyers warned that persons making allegations against him will be “subjected to rigorous cross-examinations” during disciplinary proceedings.
“It is our submission that the mere mention of his name without more [evidence] cannot render him liable for the charge of sexual misconduct.”
This response comes after the Ghana Education Service sacked 10 teachers for violating its disciplinary code.
Out of the 10, six were found guilty of sexual misconduct, four others were found guilty of stealing and another found guilty of defilement.
Some of the dismissed GES staff were found guilty by an investigative committee set up by the Education Service and also convicted by a court.
Source: Delali Adogla-Bessa
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