Obuasi SHTS abuse probe 85% complete, evidence points to prosecution – Haruna Iddrisu

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has told Parliament that the Ghana Education Service (GES) committee investigating sexual abuse allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) is 85% complete, with the evidence gathered so far pointing to a possible case for prosecution. The allegations at Obuasi SHTS have generated public concern, with the number of students reported to have alleged sexual abuse rising to 19.

The school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, has been suspended by the GES pending investigations. The Education Ministry directed the Police CID to investigate the criminal allegations, while the GES established a separate committee to examine the institutional and administrative issues surrounding the incidents. The Minister said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service was separately handling the criminal aspects of the allegations involving students at the school.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Mr Iddrisu said the GES committee, established on October 14, was nearing the end of its work. “I’m happy to know that a committee we put together on the 14th of October is 85% complete with its investigation, and the weight of evidence suggests that a court would have considered the matter that a prima facie case is established against for purposes of prosecution that we expect to start shortly,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu also disclosed that he had appeared before three joint parliamentary committees to brief them on developments at Obuasi SHTS. He said the committees, which cover human rights, gender and education, had been updated on the situation at the school. “Mr Speaker, I have an endorsement. This morning I had to appear before your committee on human rights, gender and education to brief the three joint parliamentary committees on the state of affairs of Obuasi,” he told the House.

Background The GES committee is expected to submit its findings to the Ministry of Education, while the Police investigation will inform any criminal proceedings.