The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has pledged that the alleged sexual abuse of 19 students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School will not be swept under the carpet, assuring the public that those found culpable will face prosecution without political or governmental interference.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 26, the Minister said the government is committed to ensuring accountability, protecting affected students and introducing measures to prevent similar incidents in other educational institutions. The scandal came to public attention following an investigative exposé by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which raised allegations of sexual abuse involving the school’s now-interdicted headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
Mr Iddrisu said the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department and the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit are leading investigations into the allegations of rape and sexual assault, and assured the public that the investigations would proceed independently. He noted concerns raised by civil society groups, including the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana, that political affiliations should not shield the accused from prosecution, and confirmed that the interdiction of the former headmaster will remain in place to protect the integrity of the investigations and prevent any abuse of authority.
The Education Minister indicated that the 19 students and any other potential victims require psychological counselling, medical care and academic support to ensure the incident does not further compromise their well-being and education. He also pledged protection for students, staff and journalists who report misconduct, stressing the need for safeguards against intimidation and reprisals.
In addition, he disclosed that the Ministry has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to ensure no student is made to perform domestic chores for any headmaster or teacher and announced a review of school regulations to strengthen child protection systems, including confidential reporting channels that bypass headteachers’ offices and a proposed hotline to report abuse. According to him, the Ministry will intensify monitoring of teachers and headteachers and engage parents and students to close existing safeguarding gaps.
The Minister stressed that the scandal will not suffer the same fate as other burning issues which are normally discussed with gusto in the media over a period and then go out with a whimper, insisting that due process will be followed and the law will be allowed to take its course.
Story by Ama Frimpomaa