The National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called for a swift and independent police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High School.
The call follows media reports, including an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, detailing allegations of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
In a statement responding to the reports, Koomson said she had received the allegations with “profound shock, dismay, and deep sorrow”, stressing that the safety and dignity of students must remain a priority.
She urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter independently and ensure that justice is pursued without political interference or preferential treatment for anyone implicated.
According to the statement, approximately 19 female students have recounted alleged incidents of sexual misconduct. It also cited reports that some complaints were brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026, raising questions about how the concerns were handled.
Koomson said any established failure by school authorities to respond adequately to complaints of abuse would amount to a serious breach of their duty to protect students.
“No institution entrusted with educating and developing young people should compromise their safety, dignity, and psychological well-being,” she stated.
Koomson warns against political interference
The former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development called on Ghanaians across political, religious and social divides to condemn sexual violence and exploitation against girls.
She insisted that the investigation must be conducted fairly, regardless of the identities or affiliations of those involved.
“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she said.
Her comments place emphasis on the need for the allegations to be investigated on their merits, with the protection of students taking precedence over political interests.
Calls for protection and support for students
Koomson also expressed concern about reports of possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals against the students and their families.
She urged the relevant authorities to protect the identities and safety of the alleged victims throughout the investigative and judicial processes.
She said students who report abuse must be shielded from retaliation, while others who may have experienced similar incidents should have access to safe, confidential and supportive channels to come forward.
The NPP women’s organiser further called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to work with child protection organisations to provide the affected students and their families with professional counselling, trauma-informed psychological support, medical care and other necessary assistance.
She said every decision concerning the case should be guided by the best interests of the child, in line with the principles of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).
GES urged to review school safeguarding policies
Beyond the immediate investigation, Koomson called for a comprehensive review of child protection measures across Ghana’s educational institutions.
She argued that the allegations raised serious concerns about reporting procedures, supervision and accountability within schools.
She therefore urged the GES to review its safeguarding policies, particularly those governing the conduct of teachers, headmasters, school administrators and other personnel responsible for students.
“Every school must have reliable, effective, and enforceable ways to stop sexual abuse and exploitation, quickly respond to complaints, and make sure that students are safe both physically and mentally,” she said.
Koomson added that schools must provide environments where girls can pursue their education without fear of sexual exploitation, harassment or abuse.
“Our girls must feel safe, protected, respected and empowered within the very institutions established to nurture their potential and secure their future. No girl should ever be compelled to sacrifice her dignity, safety or fundamental rights in pursuit of education,” she stated.
Appeal to Vice President and women leaders
Koomson also appealed to women across the country, particularly the Vice President, to take a sustained interest in the case and use their influence to support efforts to secure justice for the affected students.
She called on state institutions, civil society organisations, child protection advocates, traditional and religious leaders, and the wider public to support an independent and credible investigative process.
“This matter transcends political affiliations, institutional loyalties and individual interests,” she said, describing the case as a test of Ghana’s collective responsibility to protect vulnerable children.
She concluded that accountability must be pursued without political considerations and that safeguarding children must remain a shared national responsibility.
The allegations against the headmaster remain subject to investigation, and the call for an independent probe comes amid growing demands for the students’ protection and accountability from anyone found to have failed in their responsibilities.
