A former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse of female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), calling for thorough investigations, immediate support for affected students and accountability for anyone found culpable.
The former minister, in a statement responding to allegations brought to public attention by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni in the JoyNews documentary Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, said the claims were deeply distressing and, if established, would represent “a heinous betrayal of the trust that students, parents and the nation place in those responsible for education.”
The statement welcomed the headmaster’s removal from duty pending investigations and the referral of the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service. However, it stressed that these measures should be the beginning of a comprehensive response.
It also acknowledged that the headmaster maintains his innocence and that an earlier Ghana Education Service inquiry reportedly did not substantiate the allegations presented to it.
“Each allegation must be examined fairly and on its evidence, without prejudging guilt or dismissing students’ accounts,” the statement said, adding that “due process and the protection of students are not competing obligations; both must be upheld.”
The former minister called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, education authorities, police and social welfare services to provide counselling, health services, family support and measures to ensure that the students’ education is not disrupted while investigations continue.
The statement also urged investigators to establish how previous complaints were handled, including whether any officials failed in their duties, pressured families to withdraw complaints or obstructed efforts to seek help.
It said anyone found to have intimidated complainants or knowingly neglected their responsibilities must be held accountable.
“Moving staff, private assurances or waiting for public attention to fade are not resolutions,” the statement said.
It further called for safe reporting channels outside any chain of authority implicated in a complaint, protection against retaliation for students, parents and staff who speak up, and a review of safeguarding arrangements in schools, particularly boarding institutions.
The review, it said, should examine staff-student boundaries, students’ access to staff residences, supervision arrangements, complaint procedures and the referral of serious concerns.
It also appealed to political, traditional, religious and community leaders to ensure that personal relationships, political affiliations or social standing do not shield anyone from accountability.
“Protecting an institution’s reputation must never take precedence over protecting its students, and no child’s access to protection should depend on her family’s money, influence or courage to withstand public scrutiny,” the statement added.
The former minister commended Manasseh Azure Awuni and the JoyNews team, as well as the students, families and staff who have spoken about the allegations, saying their courage must lead to sustained support, credible investigations and safeguards that remain effective beyond the current public attention.