Agnes Naa Momo Lartey visits Obuasi SHTS to assess student security

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has visited Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) to facilitate its reopening and address the aftermath of serious sexual misconduct allegations. The school was recently closed following violent protests linked to claims involving 19 female students and the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. The visit, conducted alongside officials from the Ghana Education Service (GES), was intended to reassure the school community and ensure that academic activities can safely resume.

During her visit, Dr. Lartey met with school management, students, and the families of the alleged victims to assess their immediate support needs. The allegations against the headmaster, who has since been suspended, gained national attention following an investigative documentary by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. The Minister’s intervention aims to coordinate the government's response to the crisis and provide a clear path forward for the students whose education was disrupted by the unrest.

Dr. Lartey assured parents and students that adequate security measures have been implemented on campus to allow for a fear-free learning environment. She encouraged continuing students to return to the classroom, emphasizing that the safety and welfare of every student remain a top priority for the administration. The delegation’s assessment focused on verifying these new safety protocols and restoring confidence in the institution’s ability to protect its students.

Moving forward, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection plans to collaborate closely with the GES and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional systems for student safety across the country. This initiative will include a renewed focus on improving counseling and support services for victims of abuse. A broader community engagement and a formal media briefing are expected to follow, providing further updates on the investigation and the long-term measures being established to prevent such occurrences in the future.