{
  "id": 15769271,
  "title": "Obuasi SHTS abuse cases: Asante Youth Association demands sanctions against GES directors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/obuasi-shts-abuse-cases-asante-youth-association-demands-sanctions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T16:38:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/obuasi-shts-abuse-cases-asante-youth-association-demands-sanctions-against-ges-directors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nAYA 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.\n\nFurthermore, 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.",
  "summary": "The Asante Youth Association (AYA) is calling on the government to sanction the Obuasi Municipal GES Director and the Ashanti Regional GES Director over their handling of cases of alleged sexual abuse of students by the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "RISE-Ghana urges NDC to reconsider clearance of accused Obuasi SHTS headmaster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/rise-ghana-urges-ndc-to-reconsider-clearance-of-accused-obuasi-shts",
        "published": "2026-10-20T09:40:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Obuasi SHTS case: “NDC didn’t want to make the mistake of sacrificing headmaster for expediency” – Ako Gunn",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/obuasi-shts-case-ndc-didnt-want-to-make-the-mistake-of-sacrificing",
        "published": "2026-10-20T11:56:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "GES directs Ashanti, Obuasi Municipal East education directors to step aside over Obuasi SHTS sexual assault probe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/ges-directs-ashanti-obuasi-municipal-east-education-directors-to-step",
        "published": "2026-10-20T14:16:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}