The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has assured the public that the Government is committed to securing justice for the girls affected by the alleged sexual misconduct case at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
Honourable Lartey called for public confidence in the legal process, emphasising that the relevant institutions must work together to protect the victims and ensure that the law is applied appropriately.
Providing an update on the Ministry’s response, the Krowor MP acknowledged public scepticism about whether the suspect would face the full rigours of the law, particularly following reports that the interdicted headmaster was arrested and granted bail on his own recognisance.
“At this stage, the worst thing we can do as a nation to these victims is to let them lose hope. We are being as realistic in following the rules and guidelines and ensuring that the laws work in the best interest of these girls.”
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
She urged Ghanaians to demand accountability without prematurely dismissing the work being undertaken by the institutions responsible for investigating the allegations.
The Gender Minister also identified the case as an opportunity to examine weaknesses in the implementation and coordination of laws intended to protect children. In her assessment, the difficulties emerging from the Obuasi incident extend beyond one school and require institutions to examine how existing legal safeguards operate in practice.
Honourable Lartey further confirmed that President John Dramani Mahama is following the matter closely, alongside Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. She emphasised that responsible public officials and institutions are engaged, although the police would be best placed to provide updates on the criminal investigation.
In assuring affected children and the wider public of the Ministry’s commitment, Dr Lartey pledged cooperation with the relevant agencies, regardless of the difficulties encountered. She also emphasised that pursuing the matter properly is more important than rushing the process to satisfy public expectations.
“We are poised to work with each and every one,” she affirmed, pledging that the Ministry would continue working with the institutions involved to secure outcomes that serve the children’s interests.
Gender Minister Details Support For Girls In Obuasi SHTS Case
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is intensifying its fieldwork in Obuasi, with a multidisciplinary technical team engaging affected girls, their families and relevant institutions to assess their circumstances and determine the support required.
The Gender Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey explained that the intervention is being coordinated carefully to protect the children’s welfare, restore confidence and ensure that established reporting and health procedures are followed.
Honourable Lartey confirmed that a team of approximately five to seven specialists has been working on the ground for several days, drawing on expertise in social welfare, domestic violence and clinical psychology. Their work includes engaging the girls individually, consulting their families and coordinating with public institutions to establish an accurate picture of the circumstances surrounding the case.
“The intention of protecting information and the girls is not to cover up for anyone, but to ensure that the girls don’t get overwhelmed such that they will feel that they have to give up along the way.”
Honourable Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
The Krowor MP explained that protecting confidentiality is central to the Ministry’s approach because repeated questioning and official visits may cause the girls to “relive distressing experiences.” She indicated that the team is allowing the victims to engage at a pace they could manage while seeking to establish sufficient trust for support.
Dr Lartey also acknowledged that not every family is co-operating with the Ministry, although officials have not encountered formal resistance from those they have approached. She characterised the engagement as a systematic process, noting that the team is proceeding one family at a time and hopes to bring all affected families on board.
In addition to the direct engagement, the Ministry is working with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Ghana Health Service and other relevant agencies to correct procedural gaps identified in the handling of the case. These efforts include ensuring that reports are made through the appropriate channels, health screening protocols are observed and parental or guardian consent is obtained where required.
The Minister indicated that some of the coordination work could be resolved within one or two weeks, although the wider intervention remains ongoing. She expressed gratitude to the families and victims who have agreed to participate, cautioning that excessive pressure or overlapping interventions could place further strain on them.
Reflecting on the girls’ wellbeing, Dr Lartey described them as “surviving and making efforts” to discuss their experiences within the limits of what they felt comfortable sharing. She underscored the importance of respecting these limits while the technical team assesses their needs.
The Ministry is also engaging municipal and district assembly officials, traditional leaders, school representatives and other relevant stakeholders to verify the circumstances on the ground. Dr Lartey indicated that further public updates would be provided as the coordinated work progresses, while sensitive information would remain protected in the interests of the children.
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