The National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called for an independent criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region.
She has also demanded protection for the affected students and their families amid reports of possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals against those who have reported the alleged abuses.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, the former minister expressed shock over media reports, including an investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, alleging sexual misconduct involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
According to the reports cited in her statement, approximately 19 female students have recounted alleged incidents of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse.
Mrs Koomson expressed particular concern over allegations that some complaints had been brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026 without meaningful intervention.
She argued that, if established, such inaction would constitute a serious breach of the duty of care owed to students by educational institutions.
CID Investigation
Mrs Koomson called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a swift, thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the allegations.
She urged the appropriate prosecutorial authorities to pursue legal action wherever sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is established, regardless of the position or political affiliation of those implicated.
“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she stated.
She also demanded measures to protect the identities, safety and dignity of the affected students throughout the investigative and judicial processes.
According to her, students who report alleged abuse must be protected against retaliation, while others who may have experienced similar incidents should be provided with safe and confidential channels to report their experiences.
Protection and Counselling
The NPP Women’s Organiser further called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to collaborate with child protection organisations to provide the affected students and their families with the necessary support.
She identified professional counselling, trauma-informed psychological care, medical assistance and other protective interventions as essential to safeguarding their welfare.
Mrs Koomson stressed that the best interests of the affected children must remain paramount, in accordance with the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).
Review of School Safeguarding Policies
Beyond the immediate allegations, Mrs Koomson urged the GES to undertake a comprehensive review of child protection and safeguarding arrangements in educational institutions.
She said the reported incidents raised serious questions about existing complaint procedures, supervisory responsibilities and accountability mechanisms within schools.
The review, she suggested, should particularly address the professional conduct of teachers, headmasters, school administrators and other personnel responsible for students’ welfare.
She maintained that educational institutions must establish reliable and enforceable mechanisms to prevent sexual exploitation, respond promptly to complaints and protect students from physical and psychological harm.
Appeal to Vice President
Mrs Koomson also appealed to women across the country, particularly Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, to take a sustained interest in the matter and support efforts to secure justice for the affected students.
She urged state institutions, civil society organisations, child protection advocates, traditional and religious leaders and the general public to support a credible investigative process.
The former minister emphasised that the matter should transcend partisan considerations, describing the protection of children as a shared national responsibility.
“Justice must be pursued without fear or favour. Accountability must know no political boundaries, and the protection of our children must remain a shared national responsibility,” she stated.
The allegations against the headmaster and the reported failure of school authorities to act remain allegations requiring investigation. The statement did not provide a response from the headmaster or school authorities.
