The Minority in Parliament is demanding an independent parliamentary inquiry into the handling of earlier complaints of alleged sexual abuse involving the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), including possible political interference.
The demand follows a JoyNews investigation by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which reported allegations of sexual abuse involving as many as 19 female students at the school, including claims of rape.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Deputy Minority Leader and Chair of the Minority Women’s Caucus, Patricia Appiagyei, called for justice for the alleged victims and accountability for any officials found to have mishandled the complaints.
Minority Outlines Four Demands
Appiagyei outlined four key demands, beginning with a comprehensive investigation into every allegation, prompt advice from the Attorney-General on the case docket already submitted, and prosecution where the evidence supports it.
“We demand immediate action on one, a thorough investigation of every allegation; prompt advice from the Attorney-General on the submitted docket; and prosecution wherever the evidence warrants,” she said.
She added that authorities must provide public updates without compromising the identities of complainants or the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The Minority also called for immediate protection, counselling, medical care and legal assistance for affected students. It further demanded that any intimidation or retaliation against complainants be investigated promptly.
Its third demand is an independent inquiry into how previous complaints were handled, including whether political considerations influenced the response.
The caucus wants the inquiry to identify officials responsible for any failures and recommend appropriate sanctions. It also insists that any published findings must protect the identities of the students involved.
The fourth demand is for the responsible ministers to make a statement to Parliament outlining the chronology of events, actions taken and measures being implemented to protect students.
Calls for Confidential Reporting Systems
Appiagyei also called for confidential reporting channels in schools that operate independently of any headteacher accused of misconduct.
The Minority says such mechanisms are necessary to ensure that students can report abuse safely and that complaints are handled without intimidation or interference.
The allegations have attracted national attention following the JoyNews investigation, which detailed claims involving several students and raised questions about the handling of earlier complaints.
Case Docket Submitted to Attorney-General
Police have forwarded a case docket relating to one complaint to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice.
Authorities have clarified that the docket concerns that individual complaint, while other allegations would require separate investigations.
The headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, has been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service pending investigations.
NDC General Secretary Fiifi Kwetey has said the party will not shield Abdulai and has called for an independent investigation by law enforcement authorities.
Abdulai has also served as the NDC constituency secretary for Juaben and had been seeking to contest the constituency chairmanship. He subsequently withdrew from the race amid pressure within the party.
Allegations Yet to Be Proven
The Minority’s demands add to growing calls for education authorities and other state institutions to ensure that allegations of abuse are thoroughly investigated and that students have safe, confidential channels for reporting misconduct.
The proposed inquiry would focus specifically on the handling of earlier complaints, including whether officials failed to act appropriately or whether political considerations affected the response.
The allegations against Abdulai have not been established in court. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
source – www.myjoyonline.com