New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Women’s Organiser Mavis Hawa Koomson has called for an independent criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving about 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
She is demanding a swift and transparent investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, insisting that anyone found culpable must face the law regardless of political affiliation or social standing.
In a statement dated Monday, October 19, 2026, Mrs. Koomson said she was deeply disturbed by media reports, including an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, concerning allegations of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster and female students.
According to the reports cited in her statement, approximately 19 female students had recounted alleged incidents of abuse. She also expressed concern over claims that some complaints had been brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026 without meaningful action to protect the students.
“If established, such failure on the part of the school authorities would constitute a grave negligence of their duty of care and an unacceptable breach of the responsibility entrusted to educational institutions to safeguard the welfare, dignity and fundamental rights of children under their supervision.”
Mrs. Koomson called for measures to protect the students and their families against possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals, urging authorities to preserve their identities and dignity throughout investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations.”
The call comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) cleared the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, to contest its Juaben constituency chairmanship election despite the ongoing investigations.
The Ghana Education Service has interdicted Mr. Abdulai pending investigations. The allegations against him have not been established in court.
Beyond the criminal investigation, Mrs. Koomson urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service to work with child protection organisations to provide counselling, psychological care, medical assistance and other support for the affected students and their families.
She also called for a comprehensive review of safeguarding policies and reporting procedures in schools, stressing the need for effective systems to prevent abuse and respond promptly to complaints.
“Every school must have reliable, effective, and enforceable ways to stop sexual abuse and exploitation, quickly respond to complaints, and make sure that students are safe both physically and mentally.”
