Member of Parliament for Salaga South and Vice-Chairperson of Parliament’s Gender, Children and Social Welfare Committee, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, has described Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) as a “big crime scene” following allegations of sexual abuse involving the school’s headteacher.
Her comments come after the number of students who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse involving the suspended headmaster of Obuasi SHTS has risen from 16 to 19 following the airing of JoyNews Investigative Journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s latest documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
“From this documentary, mainly, the school is a big crime scene. The school is not a place where mothers want their daughters to go. The school is not a place where we can sleep knowing that our children are being taken care of,” she said.
Speaking on JoyNews‘ The Pulse on Monday, October 19, she condemned the failure of authorities and other stakeholders to act decisively on reports of abuse, saying their inaction had undermined efforts to secure justice for the affected girls.
“Society conspired to deny these girls justice and to enable the predatory work of this headteacher,” she added.
The MP also questioned why the headteacher had not been arrested, noting that his suspension by the Ghana Education Service appeared to be the only action taken against him.
Madam Ibrahimah expressed concern that the headteacher had allegedly been able to return to his community while the legal process had yet to take its course.
The MP further criticised education officials and other authorities who reportedly received petitions from the girls but failed to take the necessary action.
She, however, commended the students for their courage in seeking justice, saying they had submitted petitions to several authorities, including education directors and local government officials. “I celebrate their courage and I celebrate them,” she said.
The MP said the allegations should prompt a more critical examination of the school environment and the responsibility of authorities to protect children entrusted to their care.