The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, is pushing for Parliament to summon key stakeholders to answer questions over allegations of sexual abuse involving students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
She said Parliament should investigate the handling of the allegations, including claims of attempts to prevent victims from pursuing justice and the possible roles played by school officials.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, October 19, she has discussed with the chairperson of Parliament’s Gender Committee plans to present a statement on the floor of the House when Parliament resumes later in October.
“I am discussing with the chairperson of the Gender Committee to put together a statement. Parliament is resuming, I think, towards at the end of the month. We will make a forceful statement on the floor of Parliament. We will expect our colleagues to support the recommendations we’ll be making in the statement, and we’ll be requesting the Right Honorable Speaker to refer the matter to a three-member committee, which will be the Gender, Children and Social Welfare Committee, the Education Committee, and the Committee on Human Rights of Parliament. We need to sit down and interrogate these matters, bring all stakeholders to Parliament to answer for what has gone on with the so far 19 brilliant girls,” she said.
She added that she is particularly interested in the role of the housemistress, who she believes should be given the opportunity to explain her involvement in the matter.
“I am interested in this housemistress. I’m interested in her story,” she said, calling for the allegations against her to be examined by an investigative body.”
She also expressed concern about the psychological impact of the alleged abuse on the affected students, saying one victim had reportedly been unable to attend a meeting because of the trauma she had experienced.
The MP said the investigation should establish what happened, identify any failures by school authorities and other stakeholders, and help restore confidence in the school system, particularly boarding schools.
She further criticised what she described as an attempt to seek clemency for the suspended headteacher rather than ensure that the allegations were properly investigated and prosecuted.
The calls follow a JoyNews investigative documentary by Manasseh Azure Awuni detailing allegations of sexual abuse at the school. Currently, the number of students who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse involving the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School has risen from 16 to 19.