The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured that no teacher implicated in the allegations of sexual misconduct at Obuasi Senior High School (SHS) will be shielded from prosecution if evidence establishes their culpability.
He said the government was committed to ensuring accountability in the matter, which he described as a scar for the government, adding that appropriate action would be taken against anyone found to have breached the law.
Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School on Saturday, November 14, Mr Iddrisu said the evidence currently available to the Ministry of Education pointed to what could constitute a prima facie case, but stressed that the Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) did not have the authority to determine criminal guilt.
“Matters relating to Obuasi SHTS remain a scar for government. Let me assure you that nobody will be shielded. Once the evidence is available, government will take appropriate steps to prosecute and make sure that we exact the exact punishment on persons that are culpable,” he said.
“The evidence before us points to what the courts may describe as a prima facie case, but since the Ministry of Education and GES are not competent courts, I will accordingly refer, and have referred, the matter to the Police CID, the Attorney-General and the Minister for the Interior to take consequential actions that bring any teacher to the discipline of the law,” he stated.
The case has generated considerable debate about student protection, teacher conduct and the responsibility of educational authorities to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for children.
Background
The Obuasi Senior High School case has attracted national attention following allegations of sexual misconduct involving students and the school’s former headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
The controversy has triggered calls for accountability, stronger safeguarding measures and improved systems for reporting and investigating abuse in educational institutions.
The headmaster was suspended following the allegations, while investigations and other interventions were initiated by the relevant authorities.
The case has also renewed discussions about the protection of students, the responsibility of school management and the need for effective mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure that allegations are handled promptly.
Mr Iddrisu’s latest comments reaffirm the government’s commitment to pursuing accountability, while leaving the determination of criminal responsibility to the appropriate investigative and judicial authorities.
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