Haruna Iddrisu pledges justice for 19 students in Obuasi SHTS abuse case

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has assured the public that the government will ensure full justice for 19 female students allegedly molested by the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai. The headmaster has been suspended following the accusations, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) is working alongside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation. Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of the GES, emphasised a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, noting that school environments must remain safe for all learners despite this incident.

Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, recently visited the school to engage with affected students and their families. She revealed a distressing situation where families of the victims are contemplating relocating from their communities due to severe stigma, intimidation, and victimisation. According to Dr. Lartey, some of the girls are experiencing extreme psychological distress, with some even reporting suicidal thoughts. The Gender Ministry has deployed an advance support team to provide counselling and coordinate interventions to protect the emotional well-being and privacy of the survivors during the legal process.

The case has sparked widespread calls for systemic reform within Ghana’s education sector. Former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has proposed the creation of a national sex offenders register and mandatory fingerprint background checks as part of the teacher licensing process. He also advocated for mandatory reporting laws that would impose criminal penalties on educators or medical professionals who fail to report suspected child abuse. Additionally, the Methodist Church Ghana and Women in Leadership International (WILI) have demanded independent probes, citing concerns about institutional failures and the need for more robust safeguarding protocols across all schools.

As the investigation continues, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence has urged authorities to prioritise the safety of the survivors and prevent any form of retaliation. Minister Haruna Iddrisu has reiterated that political affiliations will not provide protection for anyone found guilty. To prevent future occurrences, the GES is considering the appointment of dedicated safeguarding officers in schools and the establishment of more confidential reporting channels to empower students to speak out against abuse.