Obuasi SHTS scandal: Investigate all schools where headmaster previously worked – Akosua Manu

The Adviser on Gender and Social Protection to former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Manu, has called for investigations into all schools where the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, previously worked, following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students.

Her comments follow allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, brought to public attention through investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni's documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster's Bungalow.

Appearing on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 24, Ms Manu said investigations should extend beyond the current allegations to examine how complaints were handled at the headmaster's previous institutions and whether officials responsible for student protection fulfilled their duties.

"Now, what I want us to do is to call for an investigation. Every school that he has been in, we have to look at everybody who was a safety protocol officer there," she stated.

She also demanded scrutiny of Ghana Education Service (GES) officials who may have received complaints but allegedly failed to take appropriate action.

"We need to see who is in charge, even at GES, who receives these complaints and flips the paper over and says that it's normal," she added.

Ms Manu expressed concern about the power imbalance between school authorities and students, particularly girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who depend on the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to continue their education.

According to her, some students may remain silent about sexual abuse for fear of losing their educational opportunities or facing retaliation from influential school authorities.

"Now, when you go to school and this happens to you, do you not fear that you may not complete your education? So you'd rather keep quiet and finish school," she said.

She argued that such vulnerabilities could expose students to exploitation, especially where effective reporting and safeguarding systems are absent.

The former adviser also questioned the institutional oversight that allowed the reported transfer of at least 38 teachers from the school without, in her view, sufficient scrutiny.

"What audit process at GES says, 'Hold up, how have 38 people been transferred from your institution in the last couple of years? What is going on?'" she questioned.

Ms Manu further raised concerns about alleged attempts to influence complainants and their families, citing reports that some had been approached with offers of educational support in exchange for withdrawing complaints.

She disclosed that, of the 19 girls reportedly linked to the allegations, only four had physically come forward to give accounts of their experiences, while one complainant had reportedly withdrawn her police complaint.

She commended the efforts of a parent who reportedly involved the local Odikro to document an alleged attempt to persuade the family to abandon its complaint.

Ms Manu also criticised attempts to discredit alleged victims through claims about their personal backgrounds, insisting that such narratives could never justify sexual abuse.

"It doesn't matter. You do not have a right to abuse her," she stressed.

Turning to the political controversy surrounding the allegations, she criticised the handling of the matter by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), questioning its reported decision to clear the headmaster to contest a party position before subsequently changing its stance following public criticism.

She argued that political considerations should not overshadow the protection of children or the need for accountability.

Ms Manu also called for stronger institutional safeguards, stressing that school authorities, education officials and law enforcement agencies must be held accountable where investigations establish failures in their responsibilities.