Obuasi SHTS Sex scandal: The response of the state and all in the chain of leadership has been lackadaisical - Fatimatu Abubakar

Fatimatu Abubakar, Former Minister of Information, has raised concerns about the response from the state and leadership in relation to the sex scandal at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

She makes the point that officials have been lackadaisical in the response to the issue.

"The response from the state and everyone in the chain of leadership has been lackadaisical. It is heartbreaking that a God-fearing country like Ghana has failed these girls, who did everything right to seek justice. The NDC government, instead of expediting criminal prosecution of the alleged perpetrator is rather spreading a red carpet for him," she said on the Key Points on TVE Saturday, October 24.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights has called for expedited investigations and urgent support for students in the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) case. It cited reports that 19 girls have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse involving the school’s headmaster.

In a statement dated October 21, 2026, the committee’s chairman, Ernest Yaw Anim, the Member of Parliament for Kumawu, said the panel was gravely concerned. The committee took note of the reported arrest of the headmaster and the submission of a case docket to the Attorney-General.

What the committee wants

The committee asked the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General to speed up investigative and prosecutorial processes, including the allegations involving the other students. It said any prosecution must proceed promptly and lawfully, while respecting due process.

It also asked the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to ensure the affected students receive counselling and psychosocial support, and protection from intimidation, stigma, and retaliation. It said their privacy, dignity, and educational welfare must remain paramount.

The committee urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse in schools. It further called for a swift, impartial investigation into any officials who received earlier complaints but failed to act.

The committee said the safety of students is a fundamental human rights obligation, and that it will continue to monitor developments.

Background

The allegations drew national attention after a JoyNews documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, with the number of students reported to have come forward rising from 16 to 19. The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, directed the headmaster’s suspension and asked the CID to begin investigations. GES also interdicted him pending a full investigation.

Police have forwarded the case docket to the Attorney-General for advice on a complaint filed by a student on 4 August 2026. A police spokesperson said other allegations would be investigated if they were formally reported.

The reported arrest is disputed. The Interior Minister told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 20, that the headmaster had been arrested. The next day, the Bekwai Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lloyd Baidoo, rejected reports that he had been arrested.

The allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.