Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for due process in investigations into sexual abuse allegations against Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), describing the matter as a serious concern for the country.
According to her, the allegations could have lasting consequences for the lives of those involved, and she urged the public to allow the law to take its course.
“What I want to say at this point is that this is a very, very serious matter. It is a matter of concern to all of us,” the Vice President said.
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Prof. Opoku-Agyemang made the remarks on Wednesday at the Jubilee Lounge of the Accra International Airport upon her arrival from an official visit to China.
She said she had followed developments surrounding the Obuasi SHS sexual abuse allegations while outside the country and had received reactions to the case.
“What I want to see is that we all allow the law to take its course, because this is a very serious matter, especially as it affects the lives of people, not only in the present, but also going into the future. So let us allow the law to take its course,” she added.
The allegations involving the headmaster were brought to public attention through an investigative documentary titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, produced by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
Following the revelations, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai and requested a criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
The GES subsequently interdicted the headmaster pending the outcome of the investigations.
In a further administrative measure, the GES on Tuesday directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside.
The directive was intended to help ensure that the investigations proceeded without interference or the perception of interference.
The Interior Minister told the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday that the case has been transferred from the regional level to Police Headquarters in Accra for further investigation.
Mr Muntaka said the matter had come to his attention on September 7 and that he had insisted it be handled at the national level.
He also disclosed that the suspect had been arrested and his statement taken, while investigators are pursuing further evidence in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the police have disclosed that the docket relating to a complaint lodged by a student on August 4 has been submitted to the Attorney-General for study and advice.
The submission marks a further development in the handling of the complaint as investigations into the allegations continue.
The Vice President’s call for due process comes amid growing public attention to the case and the measures taken by education authorities, the police and the NDC following the allegations.