The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has condemned allegations of sexual assault and rape involving the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, reportedly affecting 16 female students, and called for urgent investigations, justice and accountability.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, the association expressed “profound outrage, grave concern and unreserved condemnation” of the allegations, urging the relevant authorities to take transparent and decisive action.
AYA said that, if established, the alleged acts would constitute a serious violation of the students’ dignity, safety and fundamental rights, as well as a betrayal of the trust placed in educational authorities.
“A school must be a sanctuary of learning, discipline and protection, not a place where students are exposed to fear, abuse or exploitation,” the statement said.
The association insisted that the safety of children must not be compromised to protect political connections, institutional reputations or administrative convenience.
It also stressed that an administrative investigation must not replace criminal accountability, urging parents and guardians of the affected students to seek appropriate legal assistance and ensure that the matter receives the attention of the Ghana Police Service and the courts.
“The affected students deserve justice, not silence; protection, not intimidation; and accountability, not institutional cover-ups,” AYA stated.
The association called for the identities and privacy of the students to be protected throughout the process, warning against intimidation, victimisation, public humiliation or pressure intended to discourage them from pursuing justice.
AYA calls for investigation into housemistress’s conduct
The association has called for a thorough investigation into the conduct and supervisory responsibilities of the school’s Housemistress, Madam Adwoa Yeboah.
It questioned the adequacy of supervision and safeguarding arrangements in the school’s boarding facilities, asking whether boarding rules were enforced and whether any warning signs had been ignored or inadequately addressed.
AYA said the school authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES) must account for the measures in place to protect students, particularly at night.
The association is demanding disciplinary proceedings against Madam Yeboah and her removal from the position over what it describes as negligence and failure to discharge her responsibilities. It added, however, that any further sanctions should be proportionate to the findings of an investigation and consistent with applicable rules.
“The protection of students must take precedence over the preservation of positions and institutional hierarchies,” the statement said.
Municipal and regional education directors face scrutiny
AYA has also called for accountability from the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, arguing that allegations involving 16 female students raise serious questions about the oversight responsibilities of local education authorities.
The association wants the municipal director to explain the supervision arrangements and safeguarding measures in place, as well as the steps taken to protect the students.
“We refuse to accept a situation where allegations of this magnitude, reportedly involving sixteen female students, emerge within an educational institution without the relevant authorities being made to answer serious questions about their oversight responsibilities,” it stated.
The association has separately demanded the reprimand of the Ashanti Regional Director of the GES over his reported conduct when the allegations first came to public attention.
AYA expressed concern about his demeanour at the school, the manner in which he reportedly addressed the matter and allegations that threats were directed at students.
“A Regional Director of Education is supposed to protect students, listen to their concerns and ensure that allegations of abuse are handled with the seriousness they deserve. He must never be seen as intimidating the very students who need protection,” the statement said.
The association argued that the conduct attributed to the regional director was inconsistent with the professionalism and impartiality expected of his office. It has urged the GES and the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter and take appropriate disciplinary action.
AYA also expressed concern that his reported actions had created the impression that he was defending the headmaster rather than prioritising the protection of the students.
The association warned that, if the authorities failed to act, it would encourage traditional authorities and other stakeholders in the Ashanti Region to disengage from the regional director’s activities. It also called on media organisations to scrutinise his conduct and demand answers, adding that the media should give him “a blackout”.
Women’s Caucus urged to intervene
AYA has called on the Women’s Caucus in Parliament to use its oversight responsibilities to demand answers from the relevant authorities and examine the adequacy of safeguards against sexual abuse in educational institutions.
The association said the allegations raised broader concerns about the protection of girls in schools and the need for reforms to prevent similar incidents.
“We urge the Caucus to use its parliamentary voice to demand answers from the relevant authorities, examine the adequacy of existing safeguards and advocate measures that will prevent similar incidents in the future,” it stated.
It cautioned against allowing the matter to fade from public attention and called for sustained parliamentary scrutiny and practical reforms.
AYA also criticised the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, questioning its effectiveness in addressing challenges affecting women and girls.
Describing the Ministry as a “white elephant”, the association argued that recurring concerns about the protection of women and girls raised questions about its performance and commitment to its mandate.
It further called on the Office of the First Lady to take an active interest in the matter and use its platform to advocate the safety, dignity and protection of the affected students and girls nationwide.
AYA referenced the legacy of the late former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, particularly her work through the 31st December Women’s Movement, as an example of advocacy for women’s empowerment and social welfare.
The association said the situation offered an opportunity for the Office of the First Lady to support initiatives that protect vulnerable students, promote public awareness and strengthen responses to sexual violence.
“The affected students deserve more than sympathy. They deserve practical support, access to justice and a school environment in which their safety is guaranteed,” it stated.
Traditional authorities urged to demonstrate leadership
The association has also expressed disappointment in the Adanse Traditional Council, the Adansehene and the Adansehemaa over what it considers a lack of decisive action regarding the allegations.
Describing the alleged incidents as “a taboo and an abomination against the sacred land of Adanse”, AYA said the matter had implications for the area’s moral standing, cultural integrity and reputation.
It questioned why traditional authorities had not taken what it considered stronger action over allegations reportedly involving 16 female students.
“These stools are not merely symbols of prestige, power or authority. They carry responsibilities to the people, the customs, the moral values and the good name of the communities they represent,” the statement said.
AYA also warned against allowing the headmaster’s political status, influence or connections to shape how political figures respond to the allegations.
It urged traditional leaders to prioritise justice, morality and the protection of vulnerable people over political considerations.
AYA commends investigative journalism
The association commended investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and Joy FM for bringing the allegations to public attention.
It described their reporting as an example of the role a free, courageous and responsible media plays in highlighting public concerns and demanding accountability from institutions.
However, AYA criticised what it described as insufficient coverage of the matter by radio stations and other media organisations in the Ashanti Region.
It questioned why journalists from Accra had brought significant national attention to an issue affecting students in the region while local media outlets had allegedly failed to give it sufficient prominence.
The association urged media organisations in the region to strengthen investigative journalism and prioritise issues affecting vulnerable groups.
“We need a development-focused media that investigates matters affecting ordinary people, amplifies the concerns of vulnerable groups and demands answers from those entrusted with public responsibility,” it stated.
Association demands justice and protection for students
AYA reiterated that the allegations must not be reduced to a political contest, a public relations exercise or an administrative inconvenience.
It urged the Ghana Police Service and other competent authorities to investigate the allegations impartially, while calling on the GES to examine the conduct of the relevant school and education officials and impose appropriate sanctions where misconduct is established.
The association also called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that the matter receives urgent attention and that effective safeguarding measures are introduced.
It said the affected students should receive appropriate psychosocial support, legal assistance where necessary, and protection against intimidation or retaliation.
AYA pledged to continue advocating justice, institutional accountability and the protection of vulnerable students through lawful and peaceful means.
“Our position is straightforward: no individual should be considered above the law, no institution should be beyond scrutiny, and no child’s safety should be sacrificed to protect the reputation of an officeholder,” the statement said.
The association maintained that protecting children is a collective responsibility and that the safety of the girl child must remain a national priority.
