The Ministry of Education has said it knew nothing about the alleged sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) until an investigative documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni was brought to its attention.
Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak made the disclosure in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.
“We had heard nothing about the sexual abuse until the documentary came out,” Dr. Apaak stated.
He revealed that the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu was shown excerpts of the documentary before it was broadcast, after which the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, was immediately interdicted.
Dr. Apaak also disclosed that reports of the alleged abuse had earlier been made to the Obuasi and Ashanti Regional Directors of Education, but the information never reached the ministry’s headquarters in Accra.
“We became aware that reports were made to them, but for some reason the information didn’t get to us in Accra. So we need to examine the administrative lapses as to why they knew this and we did not become aware,” he said.
He confirmed that the ministry is conducting its own administrative investigations into the matter.
On support for the alleged victims, Dr. Apaak noted that the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection is working to locate the girls to provide them with the necessary assistance.
“The Gender Minister is trying to reach out and locate the girls so that we see how best we can support them,” he said.
Dr. Apaak stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their position.
“Regardless of who you are, you have no right to do what this headmaster is being accused of,” he added.
Mr. Abdulai has been accused of sexually abusing about 19 female students.
The allegations have triggered calls for an independent investigation and greater accountability in the handling of abuse cases in schools.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service has interdicted him and is not permitted to manage the school until the matter is determined and the appropriate decision is taken.