National Women's Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to launch a swift and independent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High School (SHS).

The call follows disturbing media reports, including an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, concerning allegations of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse involving the school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

In a statement issued in response to the reports, Hawa Koomson said she had received the allegations with “profound shock, dismay, and deep sorrow,” stressing that the safety and dignity of students must not be compromised under any circumstances.

According to the statement, approximately 19 female students have recounted alleged incidents of sexual misconduct. It further cited reports that some complaints were brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026, raising concerns about whether appropriate action was taken to protect the students.

Koomson said any established failure by school authorities to respond adequately to complaints of abuse would represent a serious breach of their responsibility to safeguard students.

“No institution entrusted with educating and developing young people should compromise their safety, dignity, and psychological well-being,” she stated.

The former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development called on Ghanaians, regardless of their political, religious or social affiliations, to condemn sexual violence and exploitation against girls.

She also insisted that the investigation must proceed without political interference or preferential treatment for anyone implicated.

“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she said.

Calls for protection of alleged victims

Beyond the demand for a police investigation, Koomson expressed concern about reports of possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals against the students and their families.

She urged the relevant authorities to take steps to protect the identities and safety of the alleged victims throughout the investigative and judicial processes.

According to her, students who come forward to report abuse must be protected from retaliation, while other potential victims should have access to safe, confidential and supportive channels to report their experiences.

She further called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to work with child protection organisations to provide the affected students and their families with professional counselling, trauma-informed psychological support, medical care and other necessary assistance.

Koomson said the best interests of the child must guide every decision arising from the matter, in line with the principles of the Children's Act, 1998 (Act 560).

Koomson urges GES to review safeguarding policies

The NPP National Women's Organiser also called for a broader review of child protection measures within Ghana's educational institutions, arguing that the allegations raise serious questions about reporting procedures, supervision and institutional accountability.

She urged the GES to undertake a comprehensive review of its safeguarding policies, particularly those governing the professional conduct of teachers, headmasters, school administrators and other personnel responsible for students.

“Every school must have reliable, effective, and enforceable ways to stop sexual abuse and exploitation, quickly respond to complaints, and make sure that students are safe both physically and mentally,” she said.

She added that schools must remain environments where girls can learn and develop without fear of sexual exploitation, harassment or abuse.

“Our girls must feel safe, protected, respected and empowered within the very institutions established to nurture their potential and secure their future. No girl should ever be compelled to sacrifice her dignity, safety or fundamental rights in pursuit of education,” she stated.

Appeals to Vice President, women leaders

Koomson also appealed to women across the country, particularly the Vice President of the Republic, to take a keen and sustained interest in the case and use their voices and institutional influence to support efforts to secure justice for the affected students.

She urged state institutions, civil society organisations, child protection advocates, traditional and religious leaders, and the general public to support what she described as an independent and credible investigative process.

“This matter transcends political affiliations, institutional loyalties and individual interests,” she said, adding that the case concerns Ghana's collective responsibility to protect vulnerable children and ensure that schools remain places of learning, opportunity, dignity and safety.

She concluded by insisting that accountability must be pursued without political considerations and that protecting children must remain a shared national responsibility.

EA