Nobody has been cleared in Obuasi SHTS sexual misconduct scandal – GES Director-General

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that no individual has been cleared in the sexual misconduct allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). GES Director-General, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, revealed that the investigations at the headquarters level are only in its early stages, having just begun. The report submitted by the regional directorate only marks the initial phase of the investigation, and does not signify a final judgement on culpability.

According to Professor Davis, the Service initially sought a regional investigation after reports of disturbances at the school. The region's findings were then forwarded to a committee at the GES headquarters for a thorough examination. Recommendations from this committee could eventually be forwarded to higher disciplinary authorities, such as the GES Council, if necessary.

The investigation has been expedited in light of recent revelations by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which have prompted additional scrutiny. The school's headmaster is currently placed under interdiction and barred from running the institution until the matter is settled and an appropriate decision is made. The investigative committee has been allotted two weeks to present its report, and may request additional information from other sources to aid its work.

Professor Davis firmly stated that the regional report should not be viewed as the final outcome of the case, emphasizing that "nobody has been cleared" and that the process is merely commencing. The GES Director-General pledged that the Service would diligently investigate and punish all individuals found culpable, in accordance with the GES code of conduct.

He also assured parents and the public that the investigation would extend beyond those directly implicated in the alleged misconduct, and could include officials whose actions or inactions may have contributed to the situation. The GES Director-General revealed that he plans to visit Obuasi SHTS on Monday to meet the interim leader, to assess the potential for reopening the school.

The GES emphasizes that the public must wait for the outcome of the ongoing headquarters investigation, as the regional findings do not conclude the disciplinary process.