NPP Stages Protest in Obuasi Over Alleged Abuse at SHS

Members of Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) staged a protest in Obuasi on Friday, demanding justice for female students who accused the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, of sexual misconduct. The protest, led by the party's National Women's Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson, called for accountability and stronger protection for girls in schools.

The demonstration followed an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni that brought the allegations into the public domain. According to information from the Education Ministry and investigators, the claims involve 19 female students and include allegations of rape, sexual assault, and harassment. The case gained national attention after a 20-year-old student alleged she was assaulted at the headmaster's official bungalow on campus on July 25.

The student reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit on August 4 and further alleged she was given GH¢100 to remain silent. Mr Abdulai has consistently denied all the allegations. The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, ordered the Ghana Education Service in October to suspend the headmaster and referred the matter to the police Criminal Investigations Department, leading to his interdiction.

The Interior Minister later told Parliament's Public Accounts Committee that Mr Abdulai had been arrested, cautioned, and granted self-recognisance bail. The police are seeking a court order for a DNA sample and have forwarded a docket to the Attorney-General's Office for advice. The Education Ministry says affected students are receiving counselling, medical care, and academic support.

One student was transferred to another school on November 5 to protect her wellbeing, while investigations continue. The ruling National Democratic Congress also acknowledged mishandling its initial response, after initially backing Mr Abdulai before he resigned as Juaben Constituency Secretary.

The protesters presented petitions to the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Education Director, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, with copies addressed to the Vice President and the Inspector-General of Police. They gave authorities 14 days to respond or face a further protest in Accra.

The NPP's National Women's Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson, led the march, dubbed Justice For Our Girls Demo. The party is demanding stronger protection for girls in schools and accountability for the alleged abuse. Key Point: The protest was in response to allegations of sexual misconduct by the interdicted headmaster Zakaria Abdulai.

Key points

• 19 female students have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and harassment against Mr Abdulai.
• Authorities have given the students counselling, medical care, and academic support.