Soroptimist International Ghana has called for justice for students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) following the allegations of rape and sexual assault against the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
The organisation demanded a thorough investigation, protection for the alleged victims and urgent reforms to strengthen child safeguarding in Ghanaian schools.
The call follows an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, titled “Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow,” produced by Hotline.
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The documentary alleges that female students were lured to the headmaster’s bungalow, abused and threatened into silence. It also raises concerns that earlier complaints by students and the school’s Girl Child Coordinator were allegedly not acted upon.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Soroptimist International Ghana stressed that Abdulai has not been found guilty of any offence and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence while investigations continue.
The Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) are investigating the allegations.
The organisation welcomed the reported interdiction of the headmaster by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the referral of the matter to the CID by the Minister of Education.
It urged the CID, DOVVSU, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Legal Aid Commission to ensure a swift, victim-sensitive investigation.
It also called for immediate psychosocial support, legal assistance, protection against retaliation and strict confidentiality for the students involved.
“Every child has the right to be safe in school,” the statement said, emphasising that safeguarding measures must protect both girls and boys.
Beyond the investigation, Soroptimist Ghana urged the Ministry of Education and GES to introduce stronger measures to prevent sexual abuse in schools.
It called for prosecution where evidence warrants, appropriate disciplinary action against offenders and measures to prevent teachers accused of sexual misconduct from simply being transferred to other schools without their cases being addressed.
The organisation also demanded an end to the use of students as domestic helpers in staff members’ homes and called for the publication of data on sexual misconduct in schools and actions taken.
It further proposed that every school appoint a trained child protection and safeguarding officer to receive complaints confidentially and connect affected students to support services.
“The education of a girl is the empowerment of a nation. When a child’s safety in school is violated, their future is stolen,” the statement said.
The organisation appealed to the media and the public to protect the identities of alleged victims and avoid practices that could expose them to stigma or further harm.
Soroptimist International Ghana said it would continue monitoring the case and supporting the students of Obuasi SHTS and survivors of sexual violence.