Hawa Koomson warns against shielding Obuasi SHTS headmaster in alleged sexual assault case

The National Women's Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has cautioned traditional, political and religious leaders against interfering with investigations into alleged sexual assaults involving the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Abdulai Zakaria.

According to her, some individuals are attempting to influence victims and their families to withdraw from the case, warning that such actions could undermine efforts to secure justice for the alleged victims.

"Somebody is deliberately shielding him. We have people who are going around pleading with the parents not to allow their children to take the matter up," she said.

Mrs Koomson made the remarks while leading a protest by the NPP Women's Wing in Obuasi to demand justice for 19 girls allegedly sexually abused by the headmaster.

Speaking to JoyNews' Nana Yaw Gyimah on Friday, November 6, she appealed to parents who had reportedly withdrawn their children from the case to allow them to cooperate with investigators and testify in court.

She alleged that some parents had been approached and persuaded not to pursue the matter, raising concerns about possible witness interference.

“Why are they shielding Zakaria Abdulai? Is it because he's an NDC man? Is it because they are giving them 1,000 cedis to keep quiet?” she asked.

Mrs Koomson further claimed that two of the alleged victims had gone to the police station with their father to withdraw their statements after discussions involving the father's family and the headmaster's lawyer.

She expressed concern that the alleged victims could be denied justice if pressure continued to be exerted on their families.

The NPP Women's Organiser also appealed to members of the Hausa community to encourage the affected families to allow the girls to speak out, insisting that sexual harassment was condemned by religious teachings, including the Quran.

She maintained that the protest was part of efforts to ensure accountability and justice for the alleged victims, adding that the NPP Women's Wing would not abandon the campaign.

“We'll still continue with the demonstration. We have a lot of plans on the way until justice is given to the girls,” she said.

Mrs Koomson also called on all individuals with information about the alleged incidents to support the process rather than take actions that could compromise the pursuit of justice.