<p><strong>Bullying and harassment on campuses have alarmed educational stakeholders across the globe. In this context, Joseph Wemakor, a representative from Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), discussed this urgent issue on Techiman-based Globe TV via phone interview on Friday, July 28, 2023. </strong></p>
<p>His enlightening discussion underscored the gravity of the situation in Ghana, painting a vivid picture of the distressing environment in which many Ghanaian students find themselves.</p>
<p>This comes after a recent video about bullying incidents at Adisadel College was leaked and quickly became popular on social media. A junior student was bullied by a student who claimed to be his senior in the video.</p>
<p>The nefarious act of injustice, which amounts to the flagrant abuse of the victim’s rights, received a huge public condemnation, including from the Ghana Education Service (GES), which initiated disciplinary action against the perpetrator.</p>
<p>Wemakor, a well-respected human rights activist and the Executive Director of HRRG, shed light on the prevalent issue of bullying and harassment in schools.</p>
<p>He called the incident &#8220;unfortunate,&#8221; strongly denounced it, and demanded that whoever committed the heinous crime be held accountable. He observed that the experiences of countless Ghanaian students had come to be defined by these heinous actions.</p>
<p>The discussion on Globe TV aimed to bring this problem to the forefront, raising awareness and fostering the national debate on solutions.</p>
<p>Wemakor emphasized that bullying and harassment, in their many forms, can have devastating impacts on students. These acts not only affect the victim&#8217;s physical well-being but can also have severe psychological implications according to a report by UNICEF. Some of the aftereffects include anxiety, depression, and a lack of self-confidence, which can further impact their academic performances and social lives.</p>
<p>The guest speaker also drew attention to the fact that some instances of bullying escalate to physical violence. This kind of bullying can involve attacks on a student due to their appearance, race, or religion. It&#8217;s a grim violation of the victim&#8217;s human rights and dignity, which can lead to long-term trauma.</p>
<p>Wemakor encouraged institutions and educators to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying. He emphasized the need for training educators to identify signs of bullying and implement preventative measures, stressing that schools should be a safe haven for students to pursue their education without fear.</p>
<p>HRRG&#8217;s representative suggested the need for robust mechanisms to report and deal with cases of bullying and harassment. He outlined that students should have the ability to report instances of bullying without fear of retribution. Anonymously reported incidents should be thoroughly investigated and resolved promptly, ensuring the students’ safety.</p>
<p>Moreover, Wemakor also discussed the importance of engaging parents in the fight against bullying. He noted that parents should actively participate in their children&#8217;s life, listening carefully to their experiences at school and giving them the mental support, they may need to tackle these issues.</p>
<p>The HRRG Executive Director had the chance to discuss the recent honor bestowed on him and his organization by Raquel Torres, Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, along with the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in collaboration with the United Nations in Costa Rica, before the compelling interview on &#8220;Y3 SENE S3N&#8221; with the morning show with Kojo Nsaah-Kwao, a.k.a. &#8220;The General&#8221; (</p>
<p>The HRRG won the prestigious 5th UN Global Entrepreneurs Awards for its captivating &#8220;Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy, and Tramadol/Drug Abuse&#8221; (KTT Project), which was named the &#8220;Best International Practice Award on Sustainability,&#8221; according to the delighted CEO.</p>
<p>The intervention of HRRG via this platform is a critical step in catalyzing change. The discussion prompted the public to continue the conversation on bullying and actively engage in finding solutions. Wemakor&#8217;s contribution has, no doubt, set an important precedent in the ongoing fight to eliminate school bullying in Ghana and beyond.</p>
<p>The HRRG’s boss discussion on Globe TV is a commendable step forward for human rights in Ghana. It illuminates the prevalent issue of bullying and harassment in Ghanaian schools and offers tangible guidance on measures that can be implemented to combat it.</p>
<p>The commitment of figures like Wemakor and organizations like HRRG is instrumental in protecting and promoting the rights of Ghanaian students and serves as a model for collective efforts against bullying worldwide.</p>
<p>Watch the interview video here:</p>
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<p>Source:humarightsreporters.com</p>