Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights has condemned allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHS), calling for accountability and stronger safeguards to protect students in educational institutions across Ghana.
The Committee said the alleged conduct violated children’s rights and underscored the need for school authorities to uphold professional and ethical standards in their dealings with students.
The condemnation follows a Joy News investigation that brought allegations of sexual abuse at the school into the public domain.
In a statement issued on October 15, the Committee cited provisions of the Children’s Act, 1998, and Article 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which addresses the protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse.
It urged school authorities, management, teaching and non-teaching staff in second-cycle and other educational institutions to maintain the highest standards of conduct and ensure that students can pursue their education in a safe environment.
“The Committee urges School Authorities, Management, teaching and non-teaching Staff in second cycle and other educational institutions across the country to exercise the highest forms of ethical, moral and professional conduct in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities to students across the country; and to safeguard the rights of children, as they pursue a fundamental human right – the right to Education,” the statement said.
The Committee also called on the justice system to expedite the prosecution of the case and apply the maximum sentence if the headmaster is found guilty.
It said decisive action would help deter potential offenders and prevent similar incidents in educational institutions.
The Committee further commended the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for suspending the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, and another housemaster following the allegations, as well as initiating a police investigation.
It described the administrative action and police probe as important steps in addressing the matter.
“The Committee exercising its oversight mandate shall keep an eye on the investigation and prosecution of the case,” the statement said.
The Committee, chaired by Ernest Yaw Anim, the Member of Parliament for Kumawu, also indicated that the incident should prompt policy reviews to strengthen child-protection measures across educational institutions.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.
