Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights has called for swift justice and a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), intensifying calls for accountability and stronger child protection measures in Ghanaian schools.
The case has sparked national concern over student safety, the responsibility of school authorities and the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms within the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Parliament calls for expedited investigations
In a statement dated October 21, 2026, the Committee’s Chairman, Ernest Yaw Anim, MP for Kumawu, said the panel was gravely concerned about the allegations and called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to accelerate the investigative and prosecutorial processes.
The committee also urged authorities to ensure that the allegations involving other students are appropriately investigated, while observing due process and the principles of a fair investigation.
The call comes amid reports that 19 female students have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse involving the school’s headmaster. The allegations attracted widespread attention following an investigative documentary by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
The headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, was interdicted following the allegations, while the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, directed that the matter be referred to the police for investigation.
Committee demands counselling and protection for students
Beyond the call for a speedy investigation, Parliament’s Human Rights Committee has urged the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to provide affected students with counselling and psychosocial support.
The committee stressed that students must be protected from intimidation, stigma and retaliation, adding that their privacy, dignity and educational welfare must remain a priority throughout the investigation.
It also called on the Ghana Education Service and school authorities to strengthen confidential and accessible reporting systems so that students can safely report sexual abuse without fear of punishment or victimisation.
According to the committee, any education officials who received earlier complaints but failed to act should also face a swift and impartial investigation to establish whether there was negligence or other misconduct.
Questions raised over school safeguarding systems
The case has renewed public concern about how allegations of sexual misconduct are reported and handled within Ghana’s educational system.
The committee maintained that protecting students is a fundamental human rights obligation and said it would continue monitoring developments in the case.
The outcome of the investigation could also have wider implications for safeguarding policies, accountability within the Ghana Education Service and the mechanisms available to students seeking protection from abuse.
Police investigation and legal process
Police have reportedly forwarded a case docket to the Attorney-General for advice concerning a complaint filed by a student on August 4, 2026. Authorities have indicated that other allegations would require appropriate investigation as they are formally brought to the attention of the police.
There have also been conflicting public accounts regarding the headmaster’s reported arrest. While the Interior Minister told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 20 that the headmaster had been arrested, a police spokesperson subsequently disputed reports of an arrest.
The allegations against the headmaster have not been proven in court. The investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings must establish the facts in accordance with the law.
The parliamentary committee’s intervention adds to growing calls for justice, transparency and stronger protection for students in Ghanaian schools.
