Vice-President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for the law to take its course in the sexual assault case involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), describing the matter as a serious national concern with implications for both present and future generations.
She said the case required the attention of all Ghanaians, given its potential impact on the lives of those affected and the wider society.
Commenting on the controversy, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said that the seriousness of the allegations made it important for the legal process to be allowed to proceed without interference.
“What I want to say at this point is that this is a very, very serious matter. It is a matter of concern to all of us, and it is a matter of national concern,” she said.
She urged the public to allow the appropriate legal processes to determine the case, emphasising that the consequences of sexual assault could extend beyond those directly affected.
“What I want to see is that we all allow the law to take its course because this is a very serious matter, especially as it affects the lives of people, not only in the present but also going into the future. So let’s allow the law to take its course,” the Vice-President added.
The Vice-President said she had been following developments in the country, including reactions to the case and steps taken by the governing party in relation to a man who had sought to contest on its ticket.
“We have all followed what is going on in our country regarding the case of sexual assault,” she said.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang added that she had continued to monitor developments even while away and had received feedback on the matter.
“I want all of you to be aware that I followed this even when we were away, and I have received some reactions,” she said.
The Vice-President also referred to the party’s response to the controversy, saying that she had seen the action taken against the individual who wanted to contest on its ticket, as well as a letter issued by the party’s General Secretary.
“I’ve seen what the party did regarding this gentleman who wanted to run on our ticket. I’ve seen the letter that was written by our Secretary General,” she said.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) directed Zakaria Abdulai, the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), to step aside from the Juaben Constituency Chairmanship race pending an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
Mr Abdulai was suspended by the Ghana Education Service following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi SHTS. The allegations were highlighted in an investigation by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.