The Ghana Education Service (GES) has justified the interdiction of the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) amid allegations of sexual misconduct involving students. According to GES Public Relations Officer Daniel Fenyi, the decision was necessary to prevent possible interference with investigations and protect the integrity of the process. The headmaster's interdiction aims to prevent potential intimidation of students or withholding of information relevant to the case.
The allegations of sexual abuse had been circulating for about three to four months, but the GES could not act solely on unverified claims. The situation escalated following protests that led to the temporary closure of the school. A documentary released by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni brought additional attention to the allegations, corroborating the sequence of events and allegations being examined.
The headmaster had already appeared before the GES before the documentary was released. The footage subsequently supported the allegations, and the GES considered it necessary to interdict the headmaster while investigations continued. According to Mr. Fenyi, the interdiction was intended to allow investigators to work without interference as they established the facts surrounding the allegations.
The case has generated concern among parents and students, with reports of protests and the temporary closure of Obuasi SHTS disrupting academic activities. The father of one of the students allegedly affected, John Kwaku Bobena, expressed concern about the impact of the school's closure on his daughter, who was preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Mr. Bobena appealed to the GES to find alternative placement for affected students, warning that his daughter could be forced to abandon her education and help him on his cocoa farm if she cannot continue school elsewhere. The GES's decision to interdict the headmaster aims to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and without interference.
The GES emphasized that there is nothing like consensual relationship when it comes to a teacher-student relationship involving an underage child. According to Mr. Fenyi, the child is not in a position to give informed consent, and the Service will thoroughly investigate the allegations to establish the facts.
The interdiction of the headmaster is part of the GES's efforts to address the allegations and ensure that the school's academic activities resume without further disruption. The Service will continue to investigate the allegations and take necessary actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The GES interdicted the headmaster to prevent interference with investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving students.
- The allegations had been circulating for three to four months before the GES took action.
- The interdiction aims to allow investigators to work without interference and establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
