Haruna Iddrisu urges AG, CID for prosecution of culpable persons in Obuasi SHTS sexual misconduct case

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has called on the Attorney-General and the Minister for the Interior to ensure that investigations into alleged sexual misconduct at Obuasi Senior High Technical School lead to appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable.

He said evidence gathered so far suggested a prima facie case had been established, stressing that those found responsible must be prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the law.

Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School, the Minister assured the public that the government would not protect anyone implicated in the allegations.

“Matters relating to Obuasi SHTS remain a scar for government. Let me assure you that nobody will be shielded. Once the evidence is available, government will take appropriate steps to prosecute and make sure that we exact punishment on persons who are culpable,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu disclosed that the matter had been referred to the relevant security and legal authorities, including the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), for further investigation and action.

“The evidence before us points to what the courts may describe as a prima facie case, but since the Ministry of Education and GES are not competent courts, I will accordingly refer, and have referred, the matter to the Police CID, the Attorney-General and the Minister for the Interior to take consequential actions that bring any teacher to the discipline of the law,” he stated.

Beyond the Obuasi incident, the Education Minister called for a united effort by traditional leaders, religious authorities, parents and students to tackle what he described as increasing indiscipline in schools.

On reforms in secondary education, Mr Iddrisu announced plans for a $300 million investment in the sector, including GH¢2.8 billion earmarked for infrastructure expansion in senior high schools.

The programme will support the construction of 10 new model senior secondary schools across 10 regions, while 30 Category B schools are expected to be upgraded to Category A status.

He further announced that the 12 best-performing senior high schools in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would receive a combined allocation of GH¢250 million from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

The funding will be used to improve infrastructure in the selected Category A schools, including the construction of dormitories, assembly halls and information and communications technology (ICT) centres.