We’ll Get Trauma Support For All Obuasi SHTS Sexual Assault Victims And Protect Whistleblowers — Haruna Iddrisu

Story By: Deborah Adorsu

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured that government will provide trauma-informed support for all 19 victims of the alleged sexual assault at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and protect whistleblowers who helped expose the case.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mr Iddrisu said the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) will not allow the case to fade without action, following the suspension of the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.“The primary essence of this press briefing is to assure the Ghanaian public that the Ministry of Education and the GES will do everything appropriate to safeguard and ensure the protection of all students as a statutory duty. We would not fail in this endeavour,” he said.

He said government will provide trauma support for all affected students and strengthen safeguards to prevent similar incidents in schools, while also working to protect whistleblowers who came forward.

The Minister also directed the GES Director-General to ensure that no student is made to perform domestic duties for any headmaster or teacher, and announced plans to review school regulations, monitor conduct of teachers and headteachers, and engage parents and students to identify gaps in safeguarding measures.

He assured that political affiliation will not shield anyone, saying: “I have observed some concerns raised by the women’s rights groups in Ghana urging us to ensure that political affiliations or party positions do not shield any accused persons. I assure you that we will do just that.”

The case, brought to light through investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, alleges that 19 girls were sexually abused by the headmaster.

Meanwhile, the Gender Ministry has deployed a team to Obuasi to offer medical and psychological support, and the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare has demanded a thorough, impartial investigation with protection for victims, families and whistleblowers from intimidation and stigmatisation.