The spokesperson for former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has called on the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to account for the delay in interdicting the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) over reported rape cases.
In a statement, Yaw Opoku Mensah questioned why the headmaster’s interdiction came only after ministerial intervention, despite provisions in the GES Code of Conduct that allow for interdiction when an employee’s continued stay at post could interfere with an investigation.
He said the matter had remained in the public domain for more than nine weeks before the action was taken, raising concerns about the Service’s handling of the case and the consistency with which its rules were being enforced.
“Why did it take a ministerial directive for an action that the GES Code of Conduct already provides a remedy?” he asked.
Citing Section 8 of the GES Code of Conduct, Mr Opoku Mensah noted that an employee should be interdicted if they are under investigation and their continued stay at post is likely to interfere with the process.
The code also states that interdiction may be justified where the alleged offence could be grave.
He argued that these provisions raised questions about why the matter was not addressed promptly, particularly if the circumstances warranted the headmaster’s removal from post during the investigation.
Mr Opoku Mensah further accused the GES leadership of creating the perception of selective enforcement of its rules and prioritising political interests over the integrity of the Service.
“The Director-General cannot hide behind bureaucratic excuses while public confidence in the Ghana Education Service continues to erode,” he said.
He called on the Director-General to explain the delay, account for the decisions taken and demonstrate that the interests of the GES would not be subordinated to political considerations.
Mr Opoku Mensah stressed that the protection of the alleged victims and the integrity of the investigation must remain the priority, adding that the Service needed leadership that applied its rules consistently and without fear or favour.
He described the Director-General’s handling of the matter as evidence of incompetence and questioned his commitment to protecting the integrity of the GES.