The Ministry of Education has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, pending full investigations into an allegation of sexual misconduct against a female student of the school.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has also requested the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to begin its own investigations. The Ministry said the allegation, which was the subject of an investigation by Joy News and journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, is serious and that misconduct of this kind will not be tolerated in any educational institution in the country.
The Ministry said its attention had been drawn to the investigation by Joy News and Manasseh Azure Awuni into the allegation against the headmaster, who leads the school in the Ashanti Region.
The Minister considers the matter serious and has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, to take effective and immediate steps to suspend Mr. Abdulai. The suspension is to last until the full investigations into the matter are concluded.
Two Tracks of Investigation
The response runs on two tracks. The first is administrative. GES, as the employer of the headmaster, is to suspend him so that the school and the investigation can proceed without his involvement while the facts are established.
The second is criminal. The Minister has requested the Police CID Headquarters to commence investigations into the matter. Police involvement means that the allegation will be examined by the agency with the mandate to investigate offences, independently of any administrative process within the education service.
Together, the two tracks are intended to ensure that the allegation is examined thoroughly and that the student’s welfare and the integrity of the school are protected while the process continues.
No Tolerance for Misconduct
The Ministry used the statement to set out its position on conduct in schools. It said that it and the Ghana Education Service will not tolerate or countenance the alleged misconduct, describing it as despicable.
“The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service reiterate that we would not tolerate or countenance such alleged despicable misconduct in any educational institution across the country.”
Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu
The word “reiterate” signals that the position is a standing one, and the statement applies it to every educational institution in the country, not only to Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
The Duty of Care Owed to Pupils
The Ministry also addressed parents and guardians directly. It reminded the public that families place their children in the care of teachers and school authorities on the basis of trust, and that the role of teachers is to protect.
“Parents and Guardians have entrusted their wards in the care of teachers whose responsibilities are to protect and safeguard the children and not abuse them.”
Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu
The Ministry’s decision followed a media investigation, and the statement acknowledged the work of Joy News and Manasseh Azure Awuni by name. The investigation brought the allegation to the attention of the Ministry, which responded with a directive to GES and a request to the police.
Protecting the Student and the School
Suspending the Headmaster pending investigations is a precautionary step. It places distance between the person accused and the school community while enquiries are conducted.
The Ministry did not name the student, and the statement refers to her only as a female student of the school. Protecting her identity is consistent with the care that such cases require of all parties.
Attention now turns to the steps that follow the Ministry’s directives. GES is expected to act on the instruction to suspend the Headmaster, and the Police CID Headquarters is expected to begin its investigations into the allegation.
The outcome of those investigations will determine what further action is taken. For parents and guardians of pupils at Obuasi Senior High Technical School and across the country, the Ministry’s message is that the safety of children in school is a matter on which it intends to act without delay
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