Eyram Bashan Chief Operating Officer (Advocates For Christ Ghana - A4CG)
Three civil society organisations have called for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), demanding accountability for possible institutional failures and comprehensive reforms to strengthen child protection across Ghana.
The Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB), the Domestic Violence Coalition and the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values have expressed concern over the allegations against the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, and reports that complaints were brought to the attention of education authorities several months before decisive action was taken.
The organisations want investigators to establish whether school management and education officials failed to act on complaints, adequately protect affected students or discharge their safeguarding responsibilities.
Mr Abdulai has denied the allegations, which have not been proven in court.
Earlier Complaints
In a statement dated November 5, 2026, NOWIB questioned how complaints reportedly submitted to school management and education authorities between February and July were handled.
According to the organisation, the school’s Safe Space Focal Person and Girl Child Coordinator, together with a colleague, wrote to school management on February 4, requesting confidential investigations and protection for students against retaliation.
A subsequent complaint was reportedly submitted to the Obuasi West Municipal Education Office on March 20.
“Students reported what was happening to them, and adults they trusted were told. Our first question is what was done with those reports, and by whom. Our second is whether the students are safe today,” NOWIB General Secretary Bridget Mensah stated.
Sex Offenders Register
In a separate statement dated October 30, the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values demanded the establishment of a legally mandated National Sex Offenders Register, supported by mandatory background checks and a professional barring system.
The Coalition argued that the Obuasi allegations exposed weaknesses in institutional supervision, complaint handling and child protection.
“Obuasi must not become another national outrage that produces temporary indignation while leaving the conditions enabling abuse unchanged,” it stated.
It recommended a nationwide safeguarding audit to examine school complaint systems, staff conduct, supervision of boarding facilities and institutional responses to previous allegations.
The Coalition also proposed independent reporting channels, stronger professional boundaries between school personnel and students, and regular safeguarding training.
It stressed that the proposed register must distinguish criminal convictions, established professional misconduct and unresolved allegations while protecting individual rights.
Accountability
The Domestic Violence Coalition similarly called for investigations into possible institutional failures, insisting that the allegations should be treated as child protection and gender-based violence concerns rather than solely as a disciplinary matter.
It demanded accountability where investigations established that officials ignored, suppressed or inadequately addressed complaints.
The National Coalition reinforced this position, calling for sanctions against officials who obstruct investigations, intimidate witnesses or conceal evidence.
It also warned against transferring personnel accused of misconduct between institutions without properly investigating complaints.
Interdiction
The calls follow the interdiction of Mr Abdulai by the Ghana Education Service on October 14, following a directive by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu for his suspension and a criminal investigation.
Police had reportedly arrested and granted him bail in August following a student’s complaint.
NOWIB also cited reports that 19 female students had come forward with allegations, while a police investigation docket relating to one complaint had been forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice.
Reforms
The organisations demanded medical care, psychological assistance, legal support and protection against retaliation for affected students and witnesses.
The National Coalition further outlined a nine-point reform agenda, including nationwide safeguarding reviews, stronger reporting mechanisms, parliamentary oversight and a national child protection accountability framework.
It also announced plans for a national stakeholder consultation involving government institutions, education authorities, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations.
The Coalition’s statement was signed by Executive Secretary Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning, while the Domestic Violence Coalition and NOWIB statements were signed by Deborah Tayo Akakpo and Bridget Mensah, respectively.
The organisations maintained that the Obuasi case should lead to lasting institutional reforms rather than temporary public outrage.
