Obuasi SHTS scandal: Manasseh concerned about political interference, attempts to suppress allegations

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has alleged that some political figures in the Ashanti Region interfered in sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, with attempts allegedly made to settle complaints privately and pressure victims' families into withdrawing police cases.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 24, Manasseh expressed concern over what he described as the failure of school authorities, education officials and political leaders to ensure that serious allegations of sexual abuse were promptly reported to the police.

According to him, the involvement of influential political figures in handling complaints raised questions about efforts to suppress the allegations.

He recounted an incident in which the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi East, Mr. William Kofi Adzowu, popularly known as Biggie, allegedly contacted a housemistress, Stephanie Adwoa Yeboah, after 10 p.m. and instructed her to bring out a female student who had reportedly complained of sexual abuse.

Manasseh claimed the MCE subsequently arrived with individuals presented as the girl's relatives and arranged for her to leave the school for a meeting intended to resolve the matter privately.

He questioned why school authorities allowed the student to be taken away at that hour instead of ensuring that the allegations were reported to the police.

The investigative journalist disclosed that he personally contacted the MCE, who reportedly acknowledged that the allegations involved a criminal matter but explained that there was insufficient evidence at the time.

"And that, for me, is a weak response because your duty is not to gather evidence. The police are trained and have the power to do the investigation. So yours is to just report, but they didn't report," he stated.

Manasseh further alleged that the MCE justified his intervention on political grounds, reportedly telling him, "As you may be aware, the headmaster is a party person."

He claimed the MCE subsequently involved a local party chairman and another political figure identified as King Zuba, whom he described as the Mampong mayor.

According to Manasseh, some of the individuals later met the housemistress at Kofkans Hotel in Kumasi, where discussions were held and money allegedly changed hands.

Turning to a separate allegation of rape involving another student, the journalist criticised the school and local Ghana Education Service (GES) officials for allegedly failing to notify the police despite receiving information about the incident.

He said even after an intelligence official reportedly collected evidence, including GH¢100 and the student's underwear, which allegedly contained semen, the school authorities failed to report the matter.

Manasseh recounted how the girl's father encountered difficulties obtaining permission to withdraw his daughter from school, eventually claiming she required traditional treatment for a spiritual illness.

According to him, the father took the girl directly to the police station after securing permission for her to leave.

He contrasted the difficulties faced by the father with the ease with which a politician allegedly arranged for another student to leave the school late at night.

The journalist also alleged that reports of sexual abuse had reached some local authorities as far back as 2025, but appropriate action was not taken.

He further disclosed that the father of one alleged victim told JoyNews that a delegation, purportedly acting on behalf of the headmaster, visited his village to apologise and persuade him to withdraw the police complaint.

According to the account, the delegation allegedly promised that the headmaster would finance the girl's university education and help her secure employment afterwards.

Manasseh said the delegation subsequently repeated its appeal before the local Odikro, who also confirmed the visit to JoyNews.

However, he indicated that the father remained determined to pursue the matter through the police despite the alleged pressure.

"So apart from the political interference and the big men coming in, sometimes pressure is also brought to bear on some of the victims and their families," he said.