The Domestic Violence Coalition has called for a thorough, independent and survivor-centred investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, the Coalition expressed profound concern over the allegations, which came to light through recent media investigations and subsequent actions by the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Parliament and law enforcement authorities.
The Coalition noted that investigations are ongoing and administrative measures have been initiated, including the interdiction of the school’s Headmaster and the recusal of certain education officials from the investigative process.
“At the center of this matter are children and young women whose safety, dignity, education, and future must remain the foremost concern of all state institutions and duty bearers,” the statement said.
It commended survivors who have come forward despite the enormous personal, social and psychological costs associated with reporting sexual abuse, and acknowledged the role of parents, teachers, safeguarding officers, journalists and others who ensured the allegations were not ignored.
The Coalition stressed that the allegations must be treated first and foremost as child protection and gender-based violence issues, citing Ghana’s Constitution, the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as well as regional and international instruments including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Maputo Protocol, CEDAW and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Schools are not merely places of learning; they are institutions entrusted with the care and protection of children and young persons. Any allegation that this trust may have been violated demands the highest level of scrutiny and accountability,” it reiterated.
While recognising due process and the presumption of innocence, the Coalition said it was deeply concerned by reports suggesting complaints and warnings may have been raised long before decisive action was taken.
The Coalition said ongoing criminal and administrative investigations must be comprehensive, independent and free from actual or perceived interference, and should examine not only allegations against individuals but also whether any persons or institutions failed to prevent harm, respond to complaints or protect affected students.
It urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Education, GES, the Ghana Police Service including its Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and other agencies to ensure affected students receive trauma-informed psychosocial support, medical care where required, legal information and assistance, and educational support to prevent disruption to their schooling.
It also called for protection from retaliation, intimidation, harassment, stigma or victim-blaming, and for the identities, privacy and dignity of all affected students to be protected.
Where investigations establish that complaints were ignored, suppressed, mishandled or inadequately addressed, all responsible persons must be held accountable regardless of position, seniority or influence, the Coalition said.
“Accountability must extend beyond individual perpetrators to those who may have enabled, concealed, or failed to act on reports of abuse,” it added.
The Coalition further called for a national review of child protection and safeguarding measures in educational institutions, safe, confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms for students, mandatory safeguarding and gender-based violence prevention training for all education personnel, clear protocols for responding to allegations, and regular safeguarding audits.
It said the Obuasi SHTS case should catalyse broader reforms to address sexual violence, abuse of power and gender-based violence in educational settings.
“No child or young person should have to choose between reporting abuse and continuing their education. No survivor should fear retaliation for speaking out. No institution should place its reputation above the safety of students,” the Coalition stated.
The Coalition said the true measure of justice will not be determined solely by investigations or prosecutions, but by whether the moment leads to stronger protections, safer schools and greater accountability.
“We stand in solidarity with all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and reaffirm our commitment to a Ghana where every child can learn, grow, and thrive in safety and dignity,” it said, adding that it will continue to monitor how public institutions handle the matter.
