Minority Women's Caucus demands inquiry into Obuasi SHTS sexual abuse

The Minority Women's Caucus in Parliament has officially called for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). The caucus is demanding a thorough probe to establish when school and educational authorities first became aware of the complaints and whether any officials deliberately suppressed reports from the students. This demand comes as public pressure mounts for the government to ensure accountability and protect the rights of the victims involved.

The calls for an inquiry have been intensified by a significant social media backlash against Ama Pratt, the Press Secretary to Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. Following an interview with JoyNews, Pratt faced criticism over her responses regarding whether the Vice President’s office had intervened or reached out to the relevant authorities concerning the abuse claims. The interview has sparked a national debate on the sensitivity and urgency with which high-ranking officials are addressing the safety of students in second-cycle institutions.

Adding to the controversy, reports have emerged regarding the political entanglements of the school's leadership. Paul Adom-Otchere, host of Good Evening Ghana, has alleged that the former headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zakaria Abdulai, is involved in a dispute with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the claims, Abdulai reportedly threatened party executives regarding his political aspirations in the Juaben Constituency, seeking a specific appointment after being asked to withdraw from a chairmanship race.

The Minority Women's Caucus has emphasized that any officials found to have neglected their duties or covered up the abuse must face strict legal consequences. They highlighted that current procedures for addressing such complaints appear inadequate and stressed that any investigation must prioritize the anonymity and safety of the affected students. The caucus maintains that a transparent, independent inquiry is the only way to restore public trust and provide justice for the students at Obuasi SHTS.