Three parliamentary committees have warned that anyone found culpable in the alleged sexual abuse and related human rights violations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) will be dealt with in accordance with the law, following a joint inquiry into the case.
The Committees on Human Rights, Gender, Children and Social Welfare, and Education gave the assurance after meeting representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The meeting examined measures taken by the institutions in response to allegations of sexual abuse and other concerns at the school, as Parliament steps up its oversight of the matter.
In a joint statement issued after the engagement, the committees said the inquiry was intended to establish the facts, assess the responses of the relevant authorities and make recommendations to protect students.
They stressed that all allegations must be thoroughly investigated and that due process must be followed in dealing with persons found culpable.
The committees also emphasised the need for effective coordination among the institutions to ensure that affected students receive psychosocial support, counselling and protection against intimidation, stigmatisation and retaliation.
“The Committees reiterated that the safety and protection of students must remain a priority and that no child should be subjected to abuse, exploitation or any form of treatment that undermines their dignity, wellbeing and right to education,” the statement said.
They further called for effective safeguarding mechanisms and confidential reporting channels to enable students to report abuse without fear.
The committees said they would continue engaging the relevant institutions and monitor the implementation of measures to address the concerns raised.
“The outcome of the enquiry will inform the Committees’ recommendations to the appropriate authorities,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the chairpersons of the three committees: Ernest Yaw Anim, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights; Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Children and Welfare; and Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, Chair of the Committee on Education.
Background
The parliamentary inquiry follows allegations of sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zakaria Abdulai, with reports that 19 female students have come forward in connection with the case.
The allegations prompted the Ghana Education Service to interdict the headmaster and initiate an administrative investigation. The matter also drew the attention of the police and the Ministry of Education.
On November 10, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told Parliament that the GES investigative committee was about 85 per cent through its work, with evidence gathered so far pointing to a possible basis for prosecution.
Earlier, Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights had called for expedited investigations and urged the relevant authorities to protect affected students from intimidation and stigma.
The latest joint inquiry brings together three parliamentary committees to examine the institutional response and consider further measures to protect students and strengthen accountability in schools.
