Obuasi SHTS Rocked by Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Gender Minister and Coalition Demand Action

Allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) have prompted a comprehensive response from both governmental bodies and civil society organizations. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, has been at the forefront of these efforts, engaging extensively with various stakeholders including school authorities, community leaders, and directly with the affected students. Her engagements underscore a critical focus on student welfare and safety, aiming to restore trust within the school community and bolster child protection systems to prevent future occurrences. Dr. Lartey emphasized that effective child protection necessitates more than just laws and policies; it demands rigorous implementation, robust institutional collaboration, and prompt responses to safety concerns.

The Ministry, under Dr. Lartey's direction, is collaborating closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Health Service, and other pertinent institutions to fortify child protection structures. This partnership ensures that affected students receive vital counselling and health support services. The Minister confirmed that police investigations into the allegations are actively underway, assuring that any individual found culpable will face prosecution in accordance with the law. She strongly advocated for providing comprehensive support to the affected students, safeguarding them from further victimisation or distress. To ensure a coordinated and effective response, an advance team comprising officers from the Department of Social Welfare, the Domestic Violence Secretariat, and the Department of Children has been deployed. This team is tasked with assessing the needs of students and their families and coordinating appropriate interventions.

Concurrently, the Coalition of Parents of Students in Private Institutions (COPOSIPI) has expressed profound concern over the alleged sexual misconduct involving Abdulai Zakaria, identified as the Headmaster of Obuasi SHTS. COPOSIPI has issued a demand for urgent, impartial investigations and decisive legal action, reiterating that the safety, dignity, and welfare of all students, particularly girls, are non-negotiable. The Coalition emphatically stated that any teacher or school administrator implicated in sexual abuse or exploitation of students must endure the full consequences of the law, asserting that such conduct has no place in Ghana’s educational institutions. They urged the GES to promptly implement measures to protect students, ensure due process, and reinforce safeguarding protocols across all public and private schools. COPOSIPI also called for a comprehensive audit of schools to identify safeguarding gaps, investigate credible allegations of abuse, and remove individuals found guilty from positions where they could endanger children. The Coalition affirmed its readiness to pursue all lawful avenues, including legal orders, to compel authorities to discharge their statutory responsibilities in protecting students, declaring that “Our children are not bargaining chips.”

Dr. Lartey’s engagements also extended to key community stakeholders, including religious leaders, traditional authorities, Parent-Teacher Association representatives, Assembly Members, civil society organizations, and school alumni. During these meetings, she outlined the steps government institutions are taking to address the matter and reaffirmed the Ministry’s crucial coordinating role. She appealed to parents, guardians, and the wider public to report any wrongdoing or concerns regarding the safety and welfare of children, emphasizing that child protection is a collective responsibility involving families, schools, communities, and state institutions. Furthermore, the Minister appealed to media practitioners to exercise restraint and responsibility when reporting on cases involving children, particularly those related to sexual abuse. She expressed concern that the publication of some affected students’ full names had caused distress to their families and complicated further engagement. She urged the media to protect the identities and dignity of the children, stressing that responsible reporting is essential for safeguarding their welfare and supporting efforts to address the allegations. As continuing students gradually return to Obuasi SHTS, measures are being implemented to enhance security and rebuild trust between students and teachers. Both the Minister and the Director-General of the GES have appealed for cooperation from parents and students to help restore a safe and conducive learning environment. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children in all spheres – schools, homes, churches, and communities – and will continue to work with relevant institutions to support affected students and strengthen child protection arrangements.