The Asante Youth Association (AYA) is calling on the government to sanction the Obuasi Municipal GES Director and the Ashanti Regional GES Director over their handling of cases of alleged sexual abuse of students by the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
A JoyNews documentary produced by Manasseh Azure Awuni features a series of confessions concerning allegations of sexual abuse involving female students and the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zacharia Abdulai.
In a statement, AYA expressed disappointment with the conduct of the two directors when the matter first came to public attention.
The statement said the Regional Director’s demeanour, the manner in which he reportedly addressed the situation, and the alleged threats directed at the victims raised serious concerns about his judgement, professionalism and understanding of the responsibilities attached to his office.
“A Regional Director of Education is supposed to protect students, listen to their concerns and ensure that allegations of abuse are handled with the seriousness they deserve. He must never be seen as intimidating the very people he’s supposed to protect,” the statement said.
“From the conduct attributed to him, we, AYA, are of the firm view that he has demonstrated behaviour incompatible with the standards of leadership we expect from a Regional Director of Education.
“In fact, he lacks what it takes to be a GES Director. We therefore insist that the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education reprimand him and take appropriate disciplinary action following a proper investigation into his conduct.”
The statement, signed by AYA General Secretary Tweneboah Koduah, also urged the parents of affected children not to accept any form of settlement but to pursue legal redress through the courts.
“We, as AYA, strongly urge the parents and guardians of the alleged victims to pursue justice through the appropriate legal channels.
“While we acknowledge that the Ghana Education Service (GES) may be conducting an administrative investigation, we wish to emphasise that an internal administrative investigation must not be treated as a substitute for the criminal justice process.
“Where allegations disclose possible criminal conduct, the appropriate law enforcement authorities must be allowed to investigate and, where the evidence warrants, prosecute the matter in accordance with the law.
“An administrative investigation cannot, by itself, replace criminal accountability.
“We therefore call on the parents and guardians to seek appropriate legal assistance and ensure that the allegations receive the necessary attention from the Ghana Police Service and the courts. The affected students deserve justice, not silence; protection, not intimidation; and accountability, not institutional cover-ups.
“We further insist that the identity and privacy of the students must be protected,” the statement said.
AYA is also calling on the Women’s Caucus in Parliament to take a proactive interest in the matter.
“The allegations concern the safety, dignity and rights of female students and raise broader questions about the protection of girls in educational institutions.
“We urge the Caucus to use its parliamentary voice to demand answers from the relevant authorities, examine the adequacy of existing safeguards and advocate measures that will prevent similar incidents in the future.
“This must not become another matter that attracts public attention for a few days before disappearing from the national conversation.
“We need sustained parliamentary scrutiny, practical reforms and clear assurances that girls in Ghanaian schools are protected,” the statement added.