Methodist Church demands probe into alleged abuse of 19 Obuasi students

The Methodist Church Ghana, alongside major advocacy groups, is calling for an urgent and independent investigation into allegations that the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, sexually abused 19 female students. The demand follows growing public concern over the safety of girls in educational institutions and the need for immediate accountability and justice for the affected survivors.

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana and Plan International Ghana have joined the call, emphasizing that schools must remain safe havens for learners. AWLN urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to act promptly by implementing confidential reporting channels to ensure that complaints are handled without fear of retaliation. Plan International specifically outlined a six-point action plan for the government, which includes mandatory safeguarding training for all educators and the provision of comprehensive psychological support for the victims.

In a statement from its Gender, Family, and Social Intervention Directorate, the Methodist Church Ghana condemned the alleged acts and insisted that the government must take decisive action to investigate the claims. The Church highlighted the importance of a thorough, child-sensitive inquiry that prioritizes student welfare over institutional reputation. They also advocated for improved safeguarding mechanisms across the entire educational sector to identify and prevent future abuse through effective reporting systems.

The allegations have triggered a wider national conversation regarding systemic reforms to combat sexual and gender-based violence in schools. Observers are pushing for the implementation of a National Safeguarding and Accountability Framework across all senior high schools to move beyond temporary outrage toward long-term institutional change. Such reforms would ensure that independent oversight, survivor-centered support, and robust enforcement of child protection laws become standard practice in Ghana’s educational system.