Teacher jailed 7 years for sodomy, defilement

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Mensah Believe, a 27-year-old Junior High school teacher at Lume Ahugakope MA Basic School in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, has been handed a seven-year prison sentence by the Sogakope Circuit Court. The conviction comes as a result of his heinous crime of defiling a 13-year-old student, a grave violation that has rightly drawn significant public outrage.

Believe, who taught Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and English at the school, appeared before the Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to the charges of defiling a child under 16 years and sodomy.

According to Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Ajongbah, the prosecuting officer, the convicted teacher engaged in inappropriate acts with a 13-year-old male student from the same institution. The distressing nature of the teacher’s actions prompted concerned individuals to report the matter to the Assembly member, urging swift action to be taken.

Presiding over the case, Judge Joseph Mark Ali of the Sogakope Circuit Court, after considering the accused’s plea, convicted and sentenced him to a period of seven years of hard labor.

Initially, Believe vehemently denied the allegations when they were brought to the attention of the Akatsi South Education Directorate for investigation. However, during subsequent questioning by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Akatsi Police, he confessed to his abhorrent behavior.

Mr. Prosper Agbeli, Chairman of the Akatsi South and North Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has vehemently condemned the reprehensible act committed by Believe. He further urged the authorities in the area to involve the Association in all matters concerning teachers, emphasizing the importance of their engagement in addressing such issues effectively.

–The Post Ghana