The police have defended their handling of sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, amid questions over why investigations have so far focused on one complaint despite at least 19 girls reportedly alleging abuse.
Bekwai Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lloyd Baidoo, said the police investigate complaints brought to their attention and could pursue additional allegations if other victims reported them or relevant information was formally submitted.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, he rejected suggestions that the police were not responding adequately to the growing public concern over the case.
“Humbly, the police investigate matters that have been reported to them,” he said.
ASP Baidoo added that the police would welcome a report from the Ghana Education Service (GES) committee that investigated the matter, saying it could provide grounds for further action.
“That is not to say that we are not responsive,” he said.
The programme’s host challenged the police to consider speaking to other alleged victims, even if they had not yet made formal complaints.
She questioned whether the police should take further steps in light of the public allegations and the potential implications for the evidence being considered by the Attorney General.
ASP Baidoo maintained that each allegation must be treated separately and investigated on its own merits.
“If other girls have been assaulted, their case—each case is different. So they have to report the case for police to move in and investigate that matter,” he said.
He added that the police would investigate other allegations if they came to their attention.
“In respect of the other matters involving the 19 girls that you are talking about, if they come to police notice, police will subsequently move in and investigate the matter,” he said.
ASP Baidoo disclosed that the police had completed their investigation into the rape complaint filed by one student on August 4, 2026, and forwarded the case docket to the Attorney General for study and advice.
The Ashanti South Police Command is awaiting instructions on the next steps in the case.
“The police have apparently investigated the matter and subsequently sent the docket to the Attorney General for study and advice, for which we will patiently await whatever instruction that will be delivered to the police to act upon,” he said.
The docket submitted to the Attorney General concerns the single complaint investigated by the police. The status of the other reported allegations remains a separate issue.
The case has generated national concern, with at least 19 girls reportedly alleging abuse involving the headmaster.
Mr Abdulai has been interdicted by the GES, while the Education Ministry has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to investigate the allegations.
Civil society organisations, including RISE-Ghana, NOPSWECO-Ghana, WGWYPS, the Youth Bridge Foundation and GenCED, have called for thorough investigations and accountability for anyone found to have enabled or concealed abuse.
The police are awaiting the Attorney General’s advice on the submitted docket. ASP Baidoo has also urged other alleged victims to lodge official complaints at their nearest police station and said the police would investigate them.