SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has called on the government to provide medical, counselling and educational support to students who were allegedly sexually abused by the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.

The organisation’s call follows allegations that at least 14 female students were abused, with the number reportedly rising to 19.

In a statement issued on October 19, 2026, SOS Children’s Villages Ghana said the affected students needed support to recover from their experiences and continue their education.

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“Each affected girl needs trauma-informed medical and psychosocial care for as long as she needs it, not a single counselling session. Article 39 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child obliges the State to promote the physical and psychological recovery of child victims", it stated.

While commending the Minister of Education for suspending the headmaster and referring the case to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service it raised concerns about reports that complaints had been made to the school and education authorities months before action was taken.

“When children speak up, and the adults around them do not act, the harm is doubled. There is the abuse itself, and then the lesson that telling does not help,” SOS Children’s Villages Ghana said.

The SOS Children’s Villages Ghana also urged the police to handle the investigation in a way that protects the students.

"The Ghana Police Service should run a child-friendly investigation: trained officers, safe settings, a trusted adult present and as few repeat interviews as possible. Evidence that students say they have kept must be collected and preserved promptly" it noted.

The SOS Children’s Villages Ghana called for trained officers, safe interview settings and fewer repeat interviews to avoid putting the students through further distress.

It stressed the need for Parliament to push for stronger child protection rules in all pre-tertiary schools.

JKB/VPO

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