UCC Launches BRAVE GH Project to Combat Bullying in Schools

The Bullying Reporting and Victim Empowerment in Ghanaian Schools (BRAVE GH) project has been launched in the Eastern Region.

The BRAVE GH Project aims to prevent bullying and promote a positive school culture through a digital, peer-based intervention rooted in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) principles.

The team from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), is led by a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator for UCC’s Centre for Educational Research, Evaluation and Development (CERED) Dr. Jacob Owusu Sarfo.

The project forms part of the Being Initiatives, which fund early-stage projects designed to implement, test, and refine solutions to country-specific personal, social, and environmental factors impacting young people’s mental health and well-being.

The launch took place on Thursday, 30th October 2025, at the Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTECH), marking a significant milestone in the national effort to curb bullying and promote students' mental well-being.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Sarfo noted that bullying cases in Ghanaian schools are a growing concern, with research showing that over 40% of students aged 12 to 17 have experienced some form of bullying or cyberbullying.

Jacob Owusu Sarfo, Project Lead, BRAVE GH Project

Dr. Sarfo, who is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, indicated that bullying behaviours among young people form a significant driving factor behind mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor quality of life, and school absenteeism among young people in Ghana.

He further emphasised that the BRAVE GH Project is designed to be evidence-based, co-created with schools, and culturally responsive to the realities of Ghanaian educational settings.

The intervention integrates three core components — the BRAVE App, “Brave Watchdog” school clubs, and behaviour modification programs for bullying perpetrators — to nurture empathy, resilience, and inclusivity within school communities.

In an address, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana TVET Service, Ms. Evelyn Dansoa Boateng, emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces in schools and enhancing the psychological well-being of students through innovative interventions.

Ms. Boateng expressed hope that this bold initiative would be scaled up across all regions in Ghana and pledged the support and collaboration of her office to ensure its successful implementation.

Ms. Evelyn Dansoa Boateng, Director - Eastern Regional Office, Ghana TVET Service 

Through the initiative, students will assume leadership roles as clubbers (peer mentors), watchdogs, and ambassadors of the anti-bullying campaign. Heads of schools, teachers, school counsellors, parents, and mental health professionals will be trained as patrons, chaperones, and facilitators, ensuring a coordinated and proactive approach to preventing and addressing bullying incidents.

The project’s early identification system will enable teachers and school counsellors to recognise signs of bullying and provide timely support. Students requiring additional assistance will be referred to approved mental health facilities for specialised care. The BRAVE App will also offer access to coping resources, peer networks, and confidential reporting channels, empowering both victims and bystanders.

Source: UCC BRAVE GH Project Team/Documentation and Information Section-UCC