The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured parents and guardians that the safety and protection of students remain a top priority for the government following allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 students at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
Addressing a press briefing, the Minister stressed that the matter would be treated with the utmost seriousness and would not be covered up, assuring the public that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) would pursue all necessary administrative and legal measures to ensure justice is served.
He disclosed that the school had fully reopened to both continuing and newly admitted students, allowing academic activities to resume while investigations and other interventions continue.
Mr Iddrisu reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding learners, describing the welfare of students as a fundamental responsibility of the education sector.
As part of efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms in schools, the Minister directed the Ghana Education Service to immediately end the practice of students serving as domestic helpers to headteachers and teachers.
He also announced a series of additional measures aimed at enhancing student safety and improving the reporting of abuse cases across educational institutions.
These include the establishment of confidential reporting channels for students, the exploration of a dedicated hotline in collaboration with telecommunications company MTN, the provision of trauma-informed support services for affected students, and the strengthening of safeguarding and reporting procedures within schools nationwide.
According to the Minister, these interventions are intended to create a safer learning environment and ensure that students can report abuse without fear of victimisation or intimidation.
He further called on parents, guardians and the general public to actively support efforts to protect children in schools and help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The assurance comes amid heightened public concern over the allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, with education stakeholders closely monitoring developments and the measures being implemented to safeguard students.
Mr Iddrisu maintained that the Ministry and the GES remain committed to ensuring accountability, protecting victims, and strengthening systems designed to promote the well-being and security of all learners across the country.