The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is working with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant institutions to strengthen child protection measures in schools following reports of alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, disclosed this during a meeting with investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni to discuss the case and explore appropriate interventions.
Dr Lartey said she had engaged the Ghana Education Service and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) ahead of the meeting to coordinate the institutional response to the allegations.
She stressed the need for collaboration among relevant institutions to protect affected students, safeguard their wellbeing and promote justice.
As part of the measures being pursued, the Minister said her Ministry would work with GES to strengthen existing policies, codes of conduct and child protection provisions to ensure that students are adequately protected in educational institutions across the country.
The proposed interventions are also intended to address systemic gaps and prevent similar incidents, including bullying and other forms of abuse on school campuses.
Dr Lartey further disclosed that a technical representative from the Ministry would work with GES as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen child safeguarding mechanisms and ensure that institutional policies and practices align with national child protection laws and standards.
She also assured that the Ministry would collaborate with relevant institutions to support affected students and their families, including facilitating access to appropriate medical screening and psychosocial support.
To improve reporting and response mechanisms, the Minister said the Ministry would work towards ensuring that its helpline numbers and those of other relevant agencies were prominently displayed on school campuses nationwide.
The initiative is expected to make it easier for students to report abuse, threats to their safety and other protection concerns and seek timely assistance.
Mr Azure Awuni expressed appreciation to the Minister for initiating the engagement and welcomed the opportunity to share information to support the identification of appropriate interventions.
The allegations have triggered action by education authorities. On October 14, 2026, the Ghana Education Service interdicted the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, pending a full-scale investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving students. The GES also confirmed that a complaint had been lodged with the police.
The controversy followed an investigation by Mr Azure Awuni, whose reporting indicated that the number of students who had come forward with allegations had risen to 19 as of October 18. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
Dr Lartey reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Education, GES, the Ministry of the Interior, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of child protection laws and policies and promote safe learning environments for children.
The public has been urged to report child abuse, domestic violence and other social protection concerns through the Ministry’s Helpline of Hope call centre on 0800-111-222, 0800-800-800 or 0800-900-900.
