The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has vouched for the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, assuring the public that she will not allow the alleged sexual abuse cases involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) to be swept under the carpet.
He said he had absolute confidence in the CID boss and was convinced she would ensure the investigation runs its full course and that the matter is handled in accordance with the law.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 20, after appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Mr Muntaka said he had directed that the case be transferred from the Ashanti Region to the Police Headquarters in Accra when it came to his attention on September 7.
“It came to my attention on the 7th of September, when the report came to the Director CID, and I insisted that it should be moved from the region to the national,” he said.
“Because of all these things that we are hearing, I said, look, I want this thing; it should be at the headquarters. So as we speak, the matter is at the Police Headquarters being handled.”
Mr Muntaka disclosed that the police had obtained a statement from the suspect, who had been arrested, while investigators were pursuing DNA evidence as part of the process.
He said the police had identified one of the alleged victims and were working to obtain DNA evidence, but explained that the law required a court order before such a test could be conducted.
“One of the things that our democracy provides all of us is that you are not guilty until proven beyond reasonable doubt that you are guilty,” he said, stressing the need to respect due process.
The Interior Minister said the investigation would proceed in accordance with the law, despite the potential delays associated with the legal process.
He acknowledged that the courts had been on vacation when the matter came to the attention of the authorities, but said efforts were still being made to advance the investigation.
“Knowing the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department, COP Lydia, I can vouch with my life she will not compromise anything on this,” Mr Muntaka told the committee.
“That’s the assurance I want to give the country. She is on it. She’s on top of it. The matter is before them and they are handling it. And I have absolute trust in her that this matter will not be swept.
“It will travel the full length and it will be dealt with in accordance with law,” he added.
Background
The case involves allegations of sexual abuse against the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zacharia Abdulai, following revelations in a JoyNews documentary produced by Manasseh Azure Awuni.
The documentary featured accounts and confessions concerning alleged sexual abuse involving female students and the headmaster, prompting public concern over the safety and protection of students in educational institutions.
The allegations have also triggered calls for accountability from education authorities and other stakeholders.
The Asante Youth Association (AYA), for instance, has called on the government to sanction the Obuasi Municipal and Ashanti Regional directors of the Ghana Education Service over their handling of the matter when it first came to public attention.
The association has also urged parents and guardians of the alleged victims to pursue justice through the appropriate legal channels, arguing that an internal administrative investigation should not replace the criminal justice process.
AYA has further called on the Women’s Caucus in Parliament to take an active interest in the case and push for measures to protect female students from abuse.
Mr Muntaka’s assurance comes amid growing public calls for a thorough investigation, accountability and protection for the alleged victims.
The suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.