Professor Justice Bawole, Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has strongly condemned social media content creators. He criticizes them for targeting and ridiculing Junior High School (JHS) leavers for viral visibility. Prof. Bawole labeled the trend of recording students struggling with English after their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as "nonsense" and "extremely terrible."
This digital exploitation can permanently shatter the confidence of young people. It also threatens to destroy their academic futures. Prof. Bawole's strong reaction came after a viral video showed two young men being interviewed in English by a content creator who mocked them. These young men could not speak the language fluently.
This issue highlights a broader problem within Ghana's education system. Prof. Bawole argued that a student’s inability to speak English at the JHS level is not a sign of low intelligence. Instead, it shows a deeply unequal educational system. He explained that Ghana's systems have created significant inequality. A student's background, through no fault of their own, can determine their ability to speak English.
Children in privileged urban schools often speak good English. This is not because they are inherently better but because of superior resources. These resources are often denied to rural communities. Prof. Bawole suggested that the privilege some enjoy in sending their children to the best schools is a "stolen privilege." He believes this money could instead improve the system for everyone.
Prof. Bawole shared his personal story from a village 18 kilometres from Yeji. As a primary school student, he was asked to interpret for an American couple. He could not understand English, which led to severe mockery. He stated that this incident almost ended his education. His father's insistence kept him in school. Prof. Bawole’s journey from a struggling village student to a dean proves that early language barriers do not define a person’s ultimate potential.
The Dean expressed outrage over media houses and individuals recording children under 18 without parental consent. This turns them into a "laughing stock." He specifically called on the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology & Innovation, to champion a legal crackdown. This action should target those who exploit vulnerable minors for social media "likes." Prof. Bawole believes any Ghanaian law preventing mockery should apply to those who record and upload such videos.
He also challenged experts in the Department of Psychology and Social Welfare. They should track down the young men from the viral video. They need urgent counselling to reduce the risk of self-harm or trauma. Prof. Bawole urged content creators to delete these videos immediately. He also called for renewed discussion on using local languages for instruction. This would better support students in rural settings. He insisted that the media must show higher professionalism. They should not expose children, often already stressed by exams, to national ridicule.