Amartei K. Amartey condemns Obuasi SHTS student errands as safeguarding breach

Safeguarding experts have raised alarms over serious protection failures at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), specifically condemning the practice of staff members sending students on personal errands to their homes. Amartei K. Amartey, a Safeguarding Officer at Kingsdale Secondary Schools in the UK, and Dr. Millicent Adjei, Safeguarding Lead at Ashesi University, described these actions as dangerous "boundary crossings" that expose students to significant risks. The experts' comments follow an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against the school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, who has since been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr. Amartey highlighted a specific instance where a teacher requested a female student to deliver food to his private residence. He characterized such requests as a "red flag" and a clear breach of professional protocols that would result in severe disciplinary consequences in jurisdictions like the United Kingdom. According to Amartey, these lapses not only create opportunities for abuse but also leave teachers vulnerable to disputed or false allegations, as the lack of clear boundaries undermines the safety of both parties. He further criticized the internal handling of these breaches, suggesting that the school’s committee failed to adequately address the gravity of such safeguarding violations.

Dr. Millicent Adjei echoed these concerns, focusing on the school’s failure to foster a supportive atmosphere for reporting misconduct. She noted that the existing environment at Obuasi SHTS effectively silenced students, making them feel unable to voice concerns or report abuse. "You are supposed to be the protector," Dr. Adjei remarked, emphasizing that educational institutions have a fundamental responsibility to ensure students feel safe within their reporting systems. She pointed out that when professional boundaries are blurred through personal errands, the protective relationship between staff and students is compromised, leading to an environment where serious allegations can be ignored or suppressed.

The ongoing controversy has already led to significant administrative action by the Ghana Education Service, which interdicted Headmaster Zakaria Abdulai and suspended two education directors while investigations continue. The case, which gained national attention following an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, has also seen the filing of formal police complaints. The experts maintain that the situation at Obuasi SHTS serves as a critical warning for schools across Ghana to strictly enforce safeguarding protocols and prioritize the creation of safe, transparent reporting channels for all students.