The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum has expressed grave concern over allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), urging the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure accountability for anyone found culpable.
The Forum’s position comes amid a developing investigation involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, who was interdicted following allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak disclosed on October 21, 2026, that Abdulai had been arrested and that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had taken over the case for further investigations.
The Minister also said police were treating the matter with urgency. It was reported that the case involved allegations concerning 19 female students, although the reported number of students has varied across investigations and reports.
In its statement, the GBA Women’s Forum described the allegations as a serious breach of the responsibilities entrusted to school authorities.
“The allegations, if proven, represent a grave violation of the law, a profound breach of trust, and an unacceptable abuse of authority by individuals entrusted with the care, education, and protection of young people,” the statement said.
The Forum stressed that schools must be safe environments where students can pursue their education without fear of exploitation or harm.
“Schools must be safe environments where students can learn and develop free from fear, exploitation, and harm,” it added.
The allegations attracted national attention following an investigative report by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
In a report published by MyJoyOnline on October 15, JoyNews said its investigation had uncovered complaints and petitions from students, parents and teachers that allegedly reached school management, education officials and other authorities months before Abdulai’s suspension.
According to the report, the Obuasi West Municipal Director of Education confirmed that five girls had reported alleged sexual assault involving the headmaster to his office in March 2026. Three of the students reportedly submitted written complaints.
The investigation also reported that the school’s Girl Child Coordinator and safeguarding teacher petitioned management in February 2026, seeking an “immediate, impartial, and confidential investigation into the matter”.
The report raised questions about how the complaints were handled and whether appropriate action was taken promptly.
These accounts remain allegations and reported findings that must be assessed through the relevant investigative and judicial processes.
The Ministry of Education directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate steps to suspend Abdulai on October 13, 2026, pending a full investigation.
On October 14, the directive was confirmed that the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, had also requested a criminal investigation by the CID headquarters.
It was also reported that on October 20 the Service had also directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside while investigations continued.
The GES said the move was intended to prevent interference, or the perception of interference, in the process.
The developments followed an earlier inquiry into disturbances at the school in August.
On October 20, reports said the committee investigating those disturbances had found that the sexual harassment allegations examined during that particular inquiry were not substantiated by the evidence presented to it.
However, the report explicitly distinguished that earlier inquiry from the fresh investigation launched after the JoyNews exposé.
The two processes concern different stages of the case and should not be treated as equivalent findings.
Against this background, the GBA Women’s Forum has urged the police to investigate the allegations expeditiously and ensure that nobody is shielded from accountability.
“We also urge the Police to investigate the cases expeditiously and not to shield anyone. Prosecution should be expeditiously done as well,” the statement said.
The Forum further called on educational institutions to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms, reporting procedures and accountability measures to protect students.
“Any individual found responsible must be held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” it added.
The Forum’s demand comes as the Interior Minister has publicly assured Ghanaians that the case will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Women’s Forum commended the students, their families and other individuals who have come forward to report the alleged abuse.
“Reporting abuse requires immense courage, and all survivors deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect throughout any investigative and judicial processes,” the statement said.
It also praised teachers who have supported the affected students.
“We also commend the few teachers in the school who have supported the girls so far,” it stated.
The Forum acknowledged the media’s role in bringing the allegations to public attention, while expressing concern about the reported lack of an effective response from relevant authorities before the matter received wider publicity.
“The Media has also played a great role in exposing this wrong that has been going on and the lack of response from relevant authorities until the exposure by the media,” the statement said.
The GBA Women’s Forum disclosed that some of its members had been contacted by concerned individuals from the school community in Obuasi and were assisting the young women in their pursuit of justice.
“Some of the members of the GBA Women’s Forum have been contacted by some concerned people from the school in Obuasi and are assisting the young women to ensure they get justice,” the statement said.
The Forum pledged to continue monitoring the matter and supporting advocacy for stronger policies to protect girls and young people from sexual abuse in educational institutions.
“We shall continue monitoring to ensure that the young women get justice,” it added.
The Forum concluded by reaffirming the legal profession’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and preventing sexual violence and exploitation.
“The welfare and safety of children must remain a paramount concern. There can be no tolerance for conduct that endangers, abuses, or exploits minors,” the statement said.
Read the statement below:
