The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has advocate for an expedited investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse involving the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, the Committee expressed grave concern over the allegations and emphasised the need to handle the matter with urgency.
The Committee acknowledged developments in the ongoing police investigation, including the reported arrest of the headmaster and the submission of a case docket to the Attorney-General.
It called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General to fast-track all investigative and prosecutorial processes.
“We call on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General to expedite all necessary investigative and prosecutorial processes, including the examination of the allegations involving the other students,” the Committee stated.
It added that where available evidence establishes grounds for prosecution, the necessary action must be taken promptly and in accordance with the law while respecting due process.
The Committee further urged the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to ensure that affected students receive appropriate psychological counselling, psychosocial support and protection from intimidation, stigma and retaliation.
“Their privacy, dignity and educational welfare must remain paramount,” the statement noted, while urging urgent support for the victims.
The Committee also called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and misconduct in schools to ensure complaints are promptly referred to the appropriate authorities.
It demanded a swift and impartial investigation into the conduct of any officials who may have received earlier complaints but failed to take appropriate action.
“Any failure of duty established through due process must attract the appropriate accountability measures,” the Committee said.
According to the Committee, the safety of students is a fundamental human rights obligation and assured the public that it would continue to monitor developments in the matter while advocating effective safeguards to prevent similar incidents in schools.
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