Calls for investigation into alleged institutional failures, possible complicity and intimidation of complainants as questions mount over how the disturbing allegations have been handled
The disturbing sexual abuse allegations involving the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, have raised significant questions about the protection of students, the response of education authorities and the apparent handling of complaints reportedly made months before the matter attracted national attention.
In a strongly worded opinion piece titled “It Is Not Enough to Interdict, Arrest and Prosecute the Headmaster of Obuasi SHTS,” private legal practitioner Yaw Boampong Adu-Brempong Esq. argues that the handling of the matter demands far more than administrative announcements, promises of investigations and public expressions of concern.
Lawyer Yaw Boampong is calling for the immediate arrest of the headmaster, subject to lawful grounds, to facilitate a thorough investigation and send an unmistakable signal that allegations of sexual abuse involving students will not be treated with indifference.
IMMEDIATE ARREST AND INVESTIGATION MUST BE THE PRIORITY
The private legal practitioner insists that the allegations must not be reduced to an internal disciplinary matter within the Ghana Education Service (GES). Where credible allegations disclose possible criminal offences, the police must act swiftly, secure the relevant evidence, protect complainants and investigate every complaint independently.
He argues that the reported history of complaints makes the matter even more troubling. If concerns were brought to the attention of school management and education authorities months earlier, the public deserves answers about who knew what, when they knew it and what steps were taken to protect the students.
The apparent delay in addressing the complaints raises disturbing questions about whether opportunities to intervene were missed and whether vulnerable students were left exposed to further harm.
For the private legal practitioner, interdiction alone cannot provide the answers, establish criminal responsibility or deliver justice. The police must investigate the allegations and pursue prosecution wherever the available evidence supports it.
RAPE, DEFILEMENT AND INDECENT ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS: THE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE
He draws attention to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), particularly the provisions addressing rape, defilement and indecent assault.
Sections 97 and 98 address rape, while section 101 criminalises defilement involving a child under sixteen. Section 103 addresses indecent assault.
Lawyer Yaw Boampong maintains that investigators must establish the ages of the complainants, the precise conduct alleged and the available evidence to determine the appropriate offences.
He argues that every complaint must be examined on its own merits and that no allegation should be ignored merely because the suspect occupies a senior position within an educational institution.
WHO ELSE KNEW, AND WHO FAILED TO ACT?
The controversy extends beyond the headmaster to the reported handling of earlier complaints by school management, the GES and other relevant authorities.
The private legal practitioner calls for an independent inquiry into the conduct of every official who received complaints or had a responsibility to respond to them.
He identifies sections 20, 22 and 23 of Act 29, which address abetment, the duty to prevent a felony and conspiracy, respectively, as provisions investigators may need to consider where the evidence establishes the relevant legal elements.
His position is that anyone who deliberately assisted a criminal offence, agreed with others to pursue a criminal purpose or knowingly failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a felony must be examined in light of the applicable law.
However, he cautions that administrative failure does not automatically amount to a criminal offence. Any criminal liability must be established by evidence satisfying the requirements of the relevant provision.
ALLEGED CONFESSION: POLICE URGED TO ACT ON FREDERICK ADDAI’S CLAIM
One of the most significant claims requiring investigation is the public statement attributed to Frederick Addai, a former NDC organiser, who has alleged that the headmaster confessed to him on several occasions.
He describes the allegation as serious and urges the police to formally record Mr Addai’s account, examine the circumstances in which the alleged statements were made and obtain any available corroborating evidence.
He insists that the police must not allow such a serious claim to remain confined to public commentary. If the allegation provides grounds for lawful action, the authorities must act decisively.
The claim remains an allegation requiring independent verification; its truth and evidential significance must be determined through proper investigation.
THREATS, INTIMIDATION AND ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE THE MATTER
Lawyer Yaw Boampong also calls for an investigation into any alleged threats or intimidation directed at students, parents or witnesses to discourage reporting or interfere with the investigation.
Sections 74 and 75 of Act 29 address threats of unlawful harm and threats of death, respectively. Where evidence establishes that threats were made with the requisite intention, the police must consider the appropriate offences.
The reported attempts by influential persons, including the government Officials named MCEs, to resolve the matter amicably are also identified as issues requiring scrutiny.
The private legal practitioner argues that allegations of criminal conduct involving students cannot simply be treated as private disagreements to be settled behind closed doors. Any attempt to suppress complaints, pressure witnesses or obstruct justice must be investigated.
He nevertheless emphasises that the involvement of any individual in discussions about the matter does not, by itself, establish criminal wrongdoing.
GES MUST ANSWER FOR ITS HANDLING OF THE COMPLAINTS
The conduct of the Ghana Education Service is another central concern.
If complaints were received months before the allegations became a national controversy, the Service must explain what action was taken, whether the established reporting procedures were followed and whether the students received appropriate protection.
A system that encourages students to report abuse but fails to respond effectively when they do so risks undermining confidence in the very safeguards designed to protect them.
The private legal practitioner therefore calls for an independent examination of the actions and omissions of school management, the Municipal Education Directorate and other officials who may have received complaints.
Where evidence establishes professional misconduct or negligence, appropriate disciplinary measures should follow. Where evidence discloses a criminal offence, the matter must be referred to the competent authorities.
No official should be presumed guilty, but no official should be shielded from scrutiny because of position, influence or institutional affiliation.
PROTECT THE STUDENTS, NOT THE INSTITUTION’S IMAGE
Beyond the immediate investigation, the controversy exposes the need for stronger safeguarding mechanisms in schools.
The Ministry of Education and the GES must strengthen confidential reporting channels, provide trained safeguarding personnel and ensure that students can report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
Complainants and witnesses must receive appropriate support, their privacy must be protected, and credible reports must trigger timely action.
The priority must be the safety and welfare of students, not the preservation of institutional reputations.
COMMEND LOCAL JOURNALISTS WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM
Lawyer Yaw Boampong has also commended local bloggers and journalists in Obuasi who, he says, had been reporting on the matter and providing updates before Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigation brought it to wider national attention.
Their work deserves recognition for demonstrating the importance of community journalism in bringing serious concerns to public attention and demanding answers from institutions entrusted with public responsibility.
Local voices should not have to raise the same alarm repeatedly before the relevant authorities respond.
INTERDICTION IS NOT JUSTICE
The handling of these allegations must now move beyond administrative announcements and promises of investigations.
The Ghana Police Service must urgently investigate the complaints, establish the relevant facts, protect the students and take lawful action against the headmaster if the grounds for arrest are established. Where sufficient evidence supports prosecution, the appropriate charges must follow.
The GES and the Ministry of Education must account for any institutional failures that may have allowed the allegations to persist or remain unaddressed.
The demand is not for punishment without due process. It is for decisive law enforcement, an independent investigation and accountability at every level.
The immediate arrest of the headmaster, where legally justified, would send a strong signal that no office or position places anyone beyond the reach of the law. The students deserve protection, the public deserves answers, and the law must be allowed to take its full course.