The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General to expedite investigations and prosecutorial processes into alleged sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
The call follows reports that 19 girls have come forward in connection with the allegations, which have raised concerns about student safety and the handling of sexual misconduct cases in schools.
In a press statement issued on October 21, 2026, the Committee said it had taken note of developments in the police investigation, including the reported arrest of the headmaster and the submission of a case docket to the Attorney-General.
It urged the investigative and prosecutorial authorities to ensure that all necessary processes, including the examination of allegations involving other students, were completed without undue delay.
“Where the available evidence establishes grounds for prosecution, the necessary action must be taken promptly and in accordance with the law, while respecting due process,” the statement said.
The Committee, chaired by Kumawu Member of Parliament Ernest Yaw Anim, also called on the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to provide affected students with psychological counselling, psychosocial support and protection from intimidation, stigma and retaliation.
It stressed that the students’ privacy, dignity and educational welfare must remain paramount throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
The Committee further urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and misconduct in schools.
According to the statement, complaints must be promptly referred to the appropriate authorities, while students should be able to report abuse without fear.
It also called for a swift and impartial investigation into the conduct of any officials who may have received earlier complaints but failed to take appropriate action.
“Any failure of duty established through due process must attract the appropriate accountability measures,” the Committee stated.
Reaffirming the importance of protecting children in educational institutions, the Committee said student safety was a fundamental human rights obligation and that schools must provide environments where children could pursue their education without fear.
It added that it would continue to monitor developments in the case and advocate for effective safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
