National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, popularly known as Paapaa.
She urged the CID to ensure that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate legal processes
She has also urged authorities to protect affected students and their families against possible intimidation and reprisals as investigations continue.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, Hawa Koomson said, “I call upon the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to undertake a swift, thorough, independent and transparent criminal investigation into these allegations.
“Where sufficient evidence is established, the appropriate prosecutorial authorities must pursue the necessary legal processes without fear, favour or regard to the political affiliation, social standing or institutional position of any person implicated.
“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations. Of particular concern are reports of possible intimidation.’
Mrs Koomson said reports of alleged sexual abuse involving about 19 female students were deeply disturbing and required urgent attention from the relevant state institutions.
“According to the reports, approximately nineteen (19) female students have recounted alleged incidents of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse,” she said.
She expressed concern over reports that some of the alleged incidents had been brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026, but no meaningful action had been taken.
“If established, such failure on the part of the school authorities would constitute a grave negligence of their duty of care and an unacceptable breach of the responsibility entrusted to educational institutions to safeguard the welfare, dignity and fundamental rights of children under their supervision,” she said.
She also urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide affected students and their families with professional counselling, psychological care, medical assistance and other necessary support.
Mrs Koomson further called for measures to protect the identities and dignity of the students throughout the investigative and judicial processes.
The NPP National Women’s Organiser said the allegations raised broader concerns about safeguarding arrangements, reporting procedures and accountability within educational institutions.
She urged the GES to review its child protection policies and strengthen mechanisms for reporting and responding to allegations of sexual abuse in schools.
“Every school must have reliable, effective, and enforceable ways to stop sexual abuse and exploitation, quickly respond to complaints, and make sure that students are safe both physically and mentally,” she said.
Mrs Koomson also appealed to women across the country, particularly the Vice President, to support efforts to protect the affected students and ensure justice.
The headmaster, Mr Abdulai, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student, a matter that remains under investigation.
According to the police, a 20-year-old Form Two student of the school, accompanied by her father, lodged a complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Obuasi on August 4, 2026. So far, reports indicate that 19 other female students have reported cases of sexual abuse by the Headmaster.
The Ghana Education Service has interdicted the headmaster pending investigations.
Click here to read the statement by Hawa Koomson
Source: Citinewsroom
