Agnes Naa Momo Lartey visits Obuasi SHTS over sexual abuse allegations

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has visited the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) to engage with authorities, students, and community stakeholders following serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The visit was prompted by reports involving the school’s headmaster, Abdulai Zakaria, who is alleged to have abused or exploited approximately 19 female students. Dr. Lartey’s mission focused on restoring confidence in the institution, assessing the safety of the learning environment, and ensuring that the affected students receive necessary psychosocial support.

During her engagement, Dr. Lartey emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to the effective implementation of child protection laws and the coordination of services with the Ghana Education Service (GES). She assured the students and their families that ongoing police investigations are underway to ensure that anyone found guilty is held accountable. The Minister highlighted the importance of a sensitive, coordinated response to prevent further distress or social stigma for the victims, while also calling on the media and the public to report on the matter responsibly to protect the dignity and privacy of the young girls involved.

The allegations have sparked widespread condemnation from religious and educational advocacy groups. The Methodist Church Ghana and the Coalition of Parents of Students in Private Institutions (COPOSIPI) have both issued statements demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the claims. COPOSIPI, led by Dr. Simon Gbene, urged the GES to conduct an urgent audit of safeguarding gaps across schools and to strengthen protective measures to prevent future occurrences. The Methodist Church further appealed for immediate psychological and educational assistance for the victims, noting that the incident reveals critical flaws in existing school safeguarding mechanisms.

As students return to their academic activities, Dr. Lartey confirmed that measures are being implemented to improve security and rebuild trust within the Obuasi community. She encouraged parents and community members to remain vigilant and report any safety concerns to the appropriate authorities. The Ministry continues to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that educational environments across the country remain safe havens for learning, free from any form of abuse, intimidation, or exploitation.