Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights has commended the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for suspending the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHS), Zakaria Abdulai, and another housemaster following allegations of sexual abuse at the school.
The committee said the swift administrative action and the initiation of a police investigation were important steps towards accountability and protecting students, following revelations from a Joy News investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the school.
In a statement issued on October 15, the committee condemned the alleged conduct and called for stronger safeguards to protect children in educational institutions.
“The Committee further wishes to commend the Minister of Education and Ghana Education Service for the swift interdiction and suspension of the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, alongside another housemaster, and the initiation of a full police probe into the incident,” the statement said.
The committee said the alleged acts, if established, would violate provisions of Ghana’s 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 to maintain high standards of professional conduct and ensure that students are protected while pursuing their education.
“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 added.
The committee also called on the justice system to fast-track the case and impose the maximum sentence if the headmaster is found guilty.
It said the prosecution should serve as a deterrent to prospective offenders and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The Committee further appeals to the justice system to fast-track the prosecution of this issue and apply the maximum sentence, once the Head teacher is found guilty, in order to serve as a deterrent to prospective sexual abuse offenders, and prevent any such future occurrence,” it said.
The committee, chaired by Kumawu MP Ernest Yaw Anim, said it would monitor the investigation and prosecution as part of its parliamentary oversight responsibilities.
“The Committee exercising its oversight mandate shall keep an eye on the investigation and prosecution of the case,” the statement said, adding that it hoped the incident would lead to policy reviews to strengthen child protection across educational institutions.
The allegations have renewed attention on the responsibility of school authorities and education administrators to ensure safe learning environments. The committee’s statement places emphasis on accountability, effective investigations and institutional measures to prevent abuse.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.
