Omanghana
The Adansi Development Association (ADA) has called for a swift, impartial and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
In a statement, the association expressed concern over the allegations involving the school’s interdicted headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, and urged the authorities to ensure that the matter is handled fairly and without interference.
Abdulai has denied the allegations. The association said the principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty must be respected.
Support for Students
The ADA called for counselling, psychological support and protection for the students involved. It said their safety and dignity should remain a priority and urged the authorities to protect them from intimidation, victimization and stigma.
The association also urged the police, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant institutions to speed up their investigations and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable under the law.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu previously announced that 19 students identified in connection with the allegations would receive support, including counselling, medical care and academic assistance.
Status of Investigations
The GES interdicted Abdulai on October 14, 2026, a day after the education minister directed that he be suspended pending investigations.
Police have said Abdulai was arrested and granted inquiry bail following a complaint lodged on August 4, 2026. The docket relating to that single complaint has been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s office for legal advice. Other reported allegations remain a separate matter.
GES spokesperson Daniel Fenyi said on November 6 that the service’s disciplinary committee had been granted seven additional working days to continue its inquiry. He said the committee expected to reach the remaining students by November 11 before submitting its report to the GES Council.
Fenyi said the GES had not cleared the headmaster or reached a final decision in the ongoing investigation.
An earlier inquiry into disturbances at the school in August found that sexual harassment allegations presented to it were not substantiated by the evidence it examined. That inquiry is separate from the current GES investigation.
Appeal for Calm
The allegations have generated concern in Obuasi. On November 6, the New Patriotic Party Women’s Wing held a demonstration under the banner “Justice For Our Girls,” calling for accountability.
The ADA appealed to parents, students, alumni and the public to remain calm and allow investigators to carry out their work without interference.
Source: Omanghana
