GES condemns alleged AWASO STEM SHS food theft

In a press release dated 26th December, 2025, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has condemned the alleged AWASO STEM SHS food theft reported widely on news portals. The management of GES disclosed it received reports of the arrest of the authorities of the school who were caught with the food items meant for feeding school children.

“The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has received reports regarding the arrest of the matron, Benedicta Nyamadi, and a cook, Rachel Kyeremateng, of Awaso STEM Senior High School in the Western North Region for the alleged theft of food supplies meant for students.” The press release stated.

According to the GES, it does not in any way “condone any form of misconduct, abuse of office, or acts that compromise the welfare, nutrition, and well-being of students under its care.”

The GES has stated that if the allegations turn out to be true, it will run contrary to the GES’ ethical standards, professional conduct, and core values expected of its staff in all departments.

The Ghana Police Service is currently handling the necessary investigations, and the outcome of the investigations by the police will inform the next line of action to be taken by the service. It added that it supports the police investigations currently ongoing. “GES fully supports the ongoing investigations and will cooperate with all relevant state institutions to ensure that due process is followed.”

GES will continue with its robust monitoring mechanisms currently in place to ensure all systemic and non-systemic lapses that allow employees of the service to engage in such unprofessional conduct are blocked.

Prior to the arrest, GES had informed the general public that it had instituted new checking systems in place to help save the country resources, including halting all forms of diversion of school food supplies so that students can get the full benefits of food supplied to schools to be used to feed them.

“Management assures parents, guardians, and the general public that robust monitoring mechanisms are in place, and where lapses are identified, appropriate sanctions will be applied in accordance with the GES Code of Conduct and relevant laws of Ghana.”

READ: Sefwi: Police arrest matron and cook over alleged theft of students’ food at SHS

The GES further called on staff of the service and schools “to uphold integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in the management of public resources.

In the Ghana Education Service (GES), the “Rules of Professional Conduct for Teachers and Staff” provide a clear framework for handling misconduct. For high-profile cases like the alleged food theft at Awaso STEM SHS, the sanctions are severe because they often fall under “Major Misconduct.”

Typically, the following happens to persons found guilty:

Classification of the Offence

Under the GES Code of Conduct, the theft of public resources (like student food) is treated as Major Misconduct. This is because it violates the core principles of integrity, honesty, and selflessness as outlined in Part 2, Section 1 of the Code.

Disciplinary Sanctions

When a staff member is found guilty of such an act, the GES applies “Major Penalties” as prescribed in Section 2.8 of the Code. These typically include:

Dismissal from the Service: This is the ultimate sanction for grave misconduct. According to Education Act 778 (Section 11.g), the National Teaching Council can also revoke a teacher’s license for “grave professional misconduct,” effectively banning them from the profession.
Termination of Appointment: For non-teaching staff (like matrons or cooks), the GES can terminate their employment for breach of contract, specifically under the clause of “gross negligence or dishonesty” (referenced in Section 3.4.iv regarding falsification or misleading acts).
Surcharge and Restitution: Per Section 3.4.v, any negligence or act that causes financial loss to the Service requires the individual to pay back the value of the stolen items. This is often done in addition to other punishments.
Forfeiture of Benefits: In many cases of dismissal due to theft of state property, the individual may lose certain end-of-service benefits or have them withheld to offset the stolen amount.

The “Two-Stage” Disciplinary Process

The GES does not punish immediately; it follows a legal procedure to ensure “due process,” as mentioned in your press release:

Interdiction: Once a criminal case is established (as with the police arrest), the staff members are usually interdicted. This means they are suspended from duty on partial pay while the investigation continues.
Disciplinary Committee: After the police conclude their work, a GES Disciplinary Committee (formed under Section 2.4) hears the case. If the police find them guilty in a court of law, the GES uses that conviction as grounds for immediate dismissal.

We look forward to the GES’ next line of action after police investigations.