Ghana’s Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has ordered the immediate suspension of Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student.
The directive was issued pending investigations into the claims, which were reported following an investigation by JoyNews and journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education said Mr Iddrisu had instructed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate action against the headmaster while the facts of the case were established.
“The Honourable Minister considers the issue serious and has directed the Director General of the Ghana Education Service to take effective immediate steps to suspend the Headmaster, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, pending full investigations into the matter,” the statement said.
The Minister has also asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to begin investigations into the allegations.
The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service said sexual misconduct would not be accepted in any educational institution in Ghana.
“The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service reiterate that we would not tolerate or countenance such alleged despicable misconduct in any educational institution across the country,” the statement added.
The ministry also highlighted the duty of teachers and school authorities to protect pupils and students under their care.
It said parents and guardians entrusted educators with responsibility for their children’s safety and welfare, rather than exposing them to abuse.
“Parents and Guardians have entrusted their wards in the care of teachers whose responsibilities are to protect and safeguard the children and not abuse them,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister of Education.
The suspension and the investigations are intended to determine what happened in relation to the allegations. No finding of guilt has been established, and the claims remain subject to investigation.
