Obuasi SHTS abuse allegations: Parliamentary committee demands thorough investigation

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare has called for a thorough, impartial and timely investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

The Committee said the investigation must establish the facts, examine how previous complaints were handled and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate disciplinary or criminal consequences.

The allegations were brought to public attention through Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, the Committee condemned all forms of child abuse and urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

It acknowledged the suspension of the school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, pending investigations, and the referral of the matter to the police, stressing that these steps must lead to accountability and restore public confidence.

The Committee also commended the Ministers for Education and Gender, Children and Social Protection, Haruna Iddrisu and Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, respectively, for meeting with Manasseh Azure Awuni to obtain first-hand information to guide their ministries' responses and support for affected students.

It emphasised that the investigation must respect due process, noting that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. However, it warned that no political affiliation, position or institutional interest should shield anyone from lawful scrutiny.

The Committee called for confidential counselling, appropriate medical care and other necessary support for affected students. It also urged authorities to protect students, families, witnesses and whistle-blowers from intimidation, retaliation and stigmatisation.

It appealed to the media and the public to protect the identities and privacy of affected children and avoid circulating material that could expose them to further harm.

The Committee further commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for directing Abdulai to step aside from the Juaben Constituency chairmanship contest pending the police investigation. It noted his subsequent resignation as constituency secretary and withdrawal from the contest.

Beyond the case, the Committee called for a comprehensive review of school safeguarding and complaints-handling systems, including safe and confidential reporting channels, prompt referrals and independent investigations. It said weaknesses that allow complaints to be ignored, suppressed or mishandled must be identified and corrected.

Commending Manasseh Azure Awuni and his team for bringing the allegations to public attention, the Committee reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that schools remain safe environments for learning.

It stressed that the truth must be established, due process upheld and anyone found responsible made to face the full consequences of the law.