Ghana Shaken: Obuasi SHTS Rocked by Massive Sex Scandal and Cover-Up Allegations

The Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) has become the focal point of a national scandal concerning allegations of sexual abuse against its headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. These grave accusations, brought to light by Manasseh Azure Awuni’s JoyNews investigation, "Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow," have exposed significant safeguarding failures and prompted widespread calls for accountability and justice.

Dr. Millicent Adjei, Ashesi University’s Safeguarding Lead and Director of International Programs and Campus Cohesion, identified two primary failures in the school’s response to safeguarding concerns. The first involved critical boundary crossings, particularly the practice of allowing students to run personal errands for staff, such as delivering food to the headmaster’s residence. Dr. Adjei firmly stated that such actions constitute a fundamental breach of trust and a breakdown in protection, arguing that children entrusted to a school must not be placed in such vulnerable situations. The second failure highlighted by Dr. Adjei was the school’s inability to foster an environment where children felt safe and confident enough to report abuse. She cited instances where a victim's house prefect had to report experiences, including a hospitalization due to caning, without any subsequent action, underscoring that the enabling environment for speaking up was "broken."

This perspective was strongly corroborated by Amartei K. Amartey, a Safeguarding Officer at Kingsdale Secondary Schools in the UK. Mr. Amartey emphasized that professional boundaries are paramount for protecting both students and staff, and that asking a female student to deliver food to a staff member’s home is a "safeguarding issue" and a "red flag." He warned that such conduct exposes children to vulnerable situations and leaves staff unable to defend themselves against disputed allegations. In the UK, he noted, such an act alone would warrant severe consequences, including the loss of a license and potential charges, dismissing an earlier committee’s handling of the matter as a "waste of time" for failing to address this fundamental breach directly.

Parents have also voiced profound concern. Francis Deamenu, a father of five girls, expressed deep worry over the apparent lack of formal safeguarding training for teachers. He stressed that parents entrust their children to schools not only for education but also for their safety and moral upbringing, and that the absence of such training creates a "serious headache" and erodes trust in the education system.

In response to the escalating crisis, significant official actions have been taken. Headmaster Zakaria Abdulai has been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and subsequently arrested by the Ghana Police Service. Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka publicly vouched for the integrity of the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, assuring a thorough and uncompromised investigation. Minister Muntaka revealed that he had personally directed the case's transfer from the Ashanti Region to Police Headquarters in Accra on September 7, ensuring it receives national oversight. Investigators have since obtained a statement from the suspect and are actively pursuing DNA evidence, which requires a court order for collection.

The police have clarified their investigative process. ASP Lloyd Baidoo, Bekwai Police Public Relations Officer, explained that the police investigate formal complaints, confirming that a rape complaint filed by one student on August 4 has been fully investigated and its docket forwarded to the Attorney-General for study and advice. While acknowledging reports of up to 19 alleged victims, ASP Baidoo reiterated that each allegation must be treated separately and urged other alleged victims to come forward and lodge official complaints for further investigation. The Education Ministry has also directed the Ashanti Regional and Obuasi Municipal education directors to step aside pending investigations.

The scandal has ignited a powerful public response. Activists declared "Red Wednesday" on October 21, urging Ghanaians to wear red in solidarity with the Obuasi SHTS girls and to press for accountability. Organizations like the Aya Institute for Women, Politics and Media have welcomed such peaceful solidarity while advocating for stronger safeguards, institutional accountability, and better protection for survivors. The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has also called for sanctions against the education directors and urged parents to pursue justice through legal channels, emphasizing the primacy of criminal justice over administrative inquiries.

Further compounding the situation, the Obuasi SHTS has remained closed for months following student disturbances, reportedly involving an attack on the headmaster. A group named "Concerned Citizens of Adansi" has petitioned the Adansihene for the school's immediate reopening, highlighting the severe impact on Form Two and Form Three students, particularly those preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This group also raised concerns about the reported dismissal or transfer of 38 teachers who criticized the handling of the allegations, questioning administrative accountability and the protection of whistleblowers.

As investigations continue, the headmaster remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The unfolding events at Obuasi SHTS have underscored the critical need for robust safeguarding protocols, transparent reporting mechanisms, and unwavering commitment to student safety and institutional accountability within Ghana's education system.