Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights has called for investigations into the conduct of officials who may have failed to act on earlier complaints of sexual misconduct involving the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.
The Committee said accountability must extend beyond the immediate allegations against the headmaster, urging authorities to establish whether any officials received prior complaints but failed to take appropriate action.
The call follows reports that 19 girls have come forward in connection with the case, which has generated public concern over student safety and the handling of sexual misconduct allegations in educational institutions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, the Committee urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General to expedite investigations and any subsequent prosecution, including inquiries into allegations involving other students.
It stressed that where evidence establishes grounds for prosecution, the necessary legal action should be taken promptly, while ensuring that the rights of all parties are respected.
The Committee maintained that any official found, through due process, to have neglected their responsibilities must face appropriate accountability measures.
Victims’ welfare must take priority
Beyond the criminal investigation, the Committee called on the Ministries of Education and Gender, Children and Social Protection to ensure that the affected students receive comprehensive support.
It specifically highlighted the need for psychological counselling, psychosocial assistance and measures to protect the students against intimidation, stigma and retaliation.
The Committee said the privacy, dignity and educational welfare of the girls must remain central throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
It emphasised that the handling of the case should not expose the students to further harm or undermine their ability to continue their education.
Schools urged to strengthen reporting systems
The Committee also turned its attention to the systems available for reporting sexual abuse and misconduct in schools, calling on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen confidential reporting mechanisms.
It said students must have safe and accessible channels through which they can report misconduct without fear of retaliation or public exposure.
The proposed measures are intended to help schools identify and respond to allegations promptly while protecting students who come forward.
The Committee further insisted that investigations into the conduct of officials who may have received earlier complaints should be swift and impartial.
Where a failure of duty is established through due process, it said, the responsible officials must be held accountable.
Human rights safeguards in schools
Reaffirming its position on student protection, the Committee said educational institutions had a fundamental obligation to provide safe environments where children could learn without fear of abuse.
“The safety of students is a fundamental human rights obligation. Schools must be safe environments where children are protected, respected and able to pursue their education without fear,” the statement said.
The Committee added that it would continue to monitor developments in the case and advocate for safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Its intervention places renewed focus on both the prosecution of alleged offenders and the institutional responsibilities of education authorities to protect students, respond to complaints and ensure accountability where failures are established.
