Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has acknowledged a breakdown in the Ghana Education Service (GES) reporting system following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
Dr. Apaak made the admission during an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as the Ministry of Education intensified investigations into the scandal and the handling of complaints by school and education authorities.
According to an investigative documentary titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, students allegedly reported sexual misconduct to teachers and school authorities over an extended period, but the complaints were not escalated to the national level.
The controversy has raised serious concerns about student protection, sexual abuse reporting procedures and accountability within Ghana’s education system.
GES Directors Asked to Step Aside
Dr. Apaak explained that the Ministry had ordered the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education and the Ashanti Regional Director of Education to step aside while officials examine how the allegations were handled.
He said the Ministry wanted to establish who knew about the complaints, when they received the information and why the matter was not brought to the attention of senior officials.
The headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zakaria Abdulai, was interdicted on October 14, 2026, following instructions from Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu. The case was subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for investigation.
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka disclosed on October 20 that Abdulai had been arrested and that the investigation had been transferred to Police Headquarters in Accra. Investigators are reportedly following due process, including procedures relating to DNA testing.
The allegations include sexual harassment, assault and rape involving female students. The number of students reportedly coming forward has increased from 16 to 19.
Complaints Allegedly Ignored for Months
The investigation reported that the school’s Girl Child Coordinator petitioned management in February 2026, while five students allegedly lodged complaints with the Obuasi West Municipal Education Directorate in March. Further incidents were reportedly raised in June and July.
National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) President Jacob Anaba also alleged that 38 teachers who spoke against the headmaster were asked to leave the school. He further claimed that complaints dating back to 2025 had been ignored.
The allegations have intensified calls for stronger accountability, transparent investigations and improved procedures for reporting sexual abuse in schools.
NDC Reverses Position as Calls for Accountability Grow
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), which had previously cleared Abdulai to contest the Juaben Constituency chairmanship despite the allegations, has changed its position and called for his resignation.
Abdulai, who serves as the party’s Juaben Constituency Secretary, has since resigned from the position and withdrawn from the constituency chairmanship race.
Meanwhile, Child Rights International has described the incident as a possible reflection of broader safeguarding failures within the GES and called for a comprehensive review of child protection policies in Ghanaian schools.
The Ministry’s investigation is expected to examine both the allegations against the headmaster and the actions—or alleged inaction—of officials responsible for protecting students.
Source: newsthemegh.com