'Let the law take its course' – Veep on Obuasi SHTS sexual abuse allegations

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for the law to take its course in the investigation into sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

She made the remarks upon her return to Ghana on Wednesday, October 21, following a working visit to China, breaking her silence on the controversy that has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability.

The Vice President said she had followed developments in the case while abroad and had taken note of the responses from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and government officials.

“What I want to say is that we all allow the law to take its course because this is a very serious matter, especially as it affects the lives of people, not only in the present but also going into the future,” she said.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the matter is a national concern because of its potential impact on students’ lives and futures.

“This is a very, very serious matter. It is a matter of concern to all of us, and it is a matter of national concern,” she said.

The controversy centres on allegations of sexual abuse involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, with investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni reporting that the number of students who have come forward has risen to 19.

The allegations have prompted the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, to direct the headmaster’s suspension, while the Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted him pending investigations.

The GES has also directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education and the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education to step aside to facilitate the ongoing investigation and prevent potential interference or the perception of it.