Obuasi:National Women's Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a swift and impartial investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High School (SHS). The accusations involve 19 female students and the school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
According to Ghana Web, the call for investigation follows media reports, including a piece by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, detailing claims of rape, sexual harassment, and other abuses. Koomson expressed deep concern over the allegations and emphasized that the safety and dignity of students must remain uncompromised.
The statement highlighted that approximately 19 female students reported incidents of sexual misconduct, with some complaints dating back to March 2026. Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the school's response to these complaints, representing a potential breach of their duty to protect students.
Koomson called on all Ghanaians to denounce sexual violence and insisted that the investigation be free from political bias or favoritism. She stressed that the dignity and protection of children should not be overridden by partisan interests.
Beyond the investigation, Koomson voiced concerns about potential intimidation or retaliation against the students and their families. She urged authorities to safeguard the identities and well-being of the alleged victims and to provide them with necessary support, including counseling and medical care.
Koomson also called for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to collaborate with child protection organizations to assist the affected students and their families.
Additionally, she recommended a comprehensive review of child protection policies within Ghana's educational institutions, highlighting the need to enhance reporting procedures, supervision, and institutional accountability.
Koomson appealed to women leaders, including the Vice President, to engage actively in supporting justice for the affected students. She called for a collective effort to ensure schools are safe spaces for learning and development, free from abuse and exploitation.