Parliament issues directives on Obuasi SHTS abuse scandal, demands fast-tracked prosecution
The Parliamentary Select Committees on Human Rights, Gender, Children and Social Welfare, and Education have issued a joint statement with decisive directives following a briefing by the Ministers for Education and Gender, Children and Social Protection on the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) abuse scandal. The Committees met jointly with the two Ministers to … The post Parliament…
Parliament's Human Rights, Gender, Children and Social Welfare, and Education committees issued directives in response to the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) abuse scandal, demanding a fast-tracked prosecution. After a joint briefing by Education and Gender, Children and Social Protection ministers, the committees examined the ministries' immediate intervention strategies, criminal investigations, and accountability measures to protect survivors.
The scandal, characterized by sexual abuse, exploitation, and institutional failures, led the committees to commend the ministries for their preliminary actions, such as the headmaster's removal and psychological support deployment. However, they emphasized the need for an aggressive and coordinated national response given the severity of the trauma.
The committees instructed the Ministry of Interior and Inspector General of Police to expedite criminal proceedings against Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster, and demanded urgent judicial treatment of the case to ensure swift justice and act as a national deterrent. They also cautioned religious bodies and political institutions not to obstruct the criminal justice system.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, along with the Ghana Health Service, will provide clinical and medical support to victims, with comprehensive counseling and monitoring at state expense. The Ministry of Education must enforce anti-victimization policies, with survivors' identities protected, and any stigma or intimidation will face immediate prosecution.
Parliament directed the Ministry of Education to create an independent reporting mechanism for sexual misconduct, bypassing school heads, and demanded a Register for Sexual Offenders. The Ministry of Education also needs to conduct an independent safeguarding audit across all boarding and day secondary schools. The committees will maintain oversight until criminal prosecutions are concluded and reforms are fully implemented.
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