Obuasi SHTS abuse cases: Asante Youth Association demands sanctions against GES directors

The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has demanded that the Obuasi Municipal GES Director and the Ashanti Regional GES Director be sanctioned over their handling of sexual abuse cases at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). These allegations were highlighted in a JoyNews documentary produced by Manasseh Azure Awuni, which documented confessions surrounding the abuse of female students by their headmaster, Zacharia Abdulai.

In a statement, AYA expressed disappointment with the regional director's response, criticizing his demeanor, handling of the situation, and threats to the victims. AYA argues that a Regional Director of Education should provide protection and ensure allegations are handled seriously, not intimidate the victims. They believe the director's actions are incompatible with leadership standards and demand a proper investigation into his conduct.

AYA urges parents of affected children not to settle and to pursue legal action through the courts. They emphasize that an internal administrative investigation by the Ghana Education Service (GES) is not a substitute for criminal justice and law enforcement authorities should investigate criminal conduct in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, AYA calls for the Women’s Caucus in Parliament to take a more active role in addressing the issue, protecting the safety and rights of female students. They urge the Caucus to use its influence to demand answers from authorities, examine existing safeguards, and advocate for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. AYA stresses that this matter requires sustained parliamentary scrutiny and practical reforms to ensure girls in Ghanaian schools are adequately protected.