Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has criticised the handling of the sexual abuse allegations against the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), demanding immediate action to ensure accountability.
The Asokwa MP said authorities must demonstrate their commitment to protecting students by pursuing the case against Zakaria Abdulai and ensuring that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate punishment.
Speaking on The Big Bulletin on Asaase Radio on Wednesday, October 21, Appiagyei expressed disappointment over reports presented to Parliament concerning the status of the investigation, particularly information suggesting that the headmaster had been arrested.
She questioned why decisive action had not been taken despite allegations involving female students at the school.
“He needs to be brought to the books and the right punishment instituted because he raped 19 people, 19 girls being abused and under some circumstances even they are tortured, why are we not doing anything,” she said.
The allegations came to public attention following an investigative documentary by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which reported claims of sexual harassment and assault involving at least 19 female students.
Abdulai was subsequently interdicted by the Education Ministry, while the matter was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department for further investigation.
Appiagyei also questioned reports that Abdulai had been considered for a political position within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that public pressure had been necessary to halt the reported move while the allegations remained unresolved.
She said she had expected stronger action from the authorities and was disappointed by information suggesting that claims about his arrest were inaccurate.
“I was expecting a strict action but got disappointed this morning when it came to light that the idea that the person has been picked was a fluke,” she said.
The MP insisted that the safety and welfare of students must take precedence over political considerations, warning against any attempt to minimise the allegations or allow the matter to lose momentum.
“We can’t joke with the lives of our future leaders, so it is important that we are calling, and we are demanding an immediate action against the Abdulai man,” she added.
Rejecting suggestions that her position was politically motivated, Appiagyei said she would demand accountability from anyone accused of abusing children, irrespective of their political affiliation.
She further argued that the recurrence of sexual offences reflected concerns about whether existing sanctions were sufficient to deter offenders.
“We’ve heard [of these] from time immemorial, but I don’t think the required punishment has been meted out to those who commit such crimes and that’s why it continues,” she said.
Meanwhile, police in the Ashanti Region have indicated that Abdulai was arrested in connection with a rape complaint filed on August 4 and subsequently granted bail. The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice.
The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has also ordered Abdulai’s interdiction and referred the allegations to the CID.
The investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine whether criminal charges should follow.
