Child Rights International has accused the Ghana Education Service (GES) of prioritising the reputation of schools over the safety and welfare of children when dealing with sexual abuse allegations.
Bright Appiah, the organisation’s Executive Director, said the Service’s handling of such cases risked protecting alleged perpetrators and putting more students in danger.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in response to the sexual abuse allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Appiah said abuse could no longer be treated as an internal disciplinary matter.
“GES must ensure that allegations of abuse are not handled solely as internal administrative matters, but referred to the appropriate law enforcement and child protection authorities,” he said.
He argued that the failure to involve law enforcement and child protection agencies had contributed to the increasing number of sexual abuse cases in schools.
Appiah also called for a comprehensive review of the GES code of conduct, saying it currently placed too much emphasis on protecting institutions rather than children.
“GES must review its code of conduct to ensure it is child centred instead of focusing on protecting the reputation of educational institutions,” he stated.
Child Rights International had previously criticised what it described as systemic failures and silence within the GES over reported abuse cases. The organisation has demanded that the Service publish details of every abuse investigation conducted since 2018.
Obuasi SHTS allegations
The demand follows allegations involving the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zakaria Abdulai. He is the subject of an investigation by Manasseh Azure Awuni titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
The investigation detailed allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape involving female students. The reported number of students who have come forward has increased from 16 to 19.
It said the school’s Girl Child Coordinator petitioned the school authorities in February 2026. Five students reportedly submitted complaints to the Obuasi West Municipal Education Directorate in March, while further alleged incidents were reported in June and July.
National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) President Jacob Anaba has separately said 38 teachers who spoke out against Abdulai were instructed to leave the school. He also said complaints dating back to 2025 had not been acted upon.
Abdulai was interdicted on October 14, 2026, on the orders of Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu. The minister has referred the allegations to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for a criminal investigation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had initially cleared Abdulai, its Juaben Constituency Secretary, to contest the Juaben chairmanship despite the allegations. The party said his constitutional rights should be respected while investigations continued.
It has since reversed that position and called for his resignation. Abdulai has resigned from his party position and withdrawn from the contest.
Child Rights International says the Obuasi case reflects a wider pattern of cover-ups and delayed responses within the GES. It is calling for a complete overhaul of safeguarding policies in schools.
