Hawa Koomson demands independent probe into alleged abuse of 19 Obuasi SHS girls

The National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has called for a swift, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High School (SHS).

She has urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegations and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate legal processes.

The call follows an investigative report by Joy FM’s Manasseh Azure Awuni, concerning allegations of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

In a statement issued on October 19, 2026, Hawa Koomson said the reports were particularly disturbing because some of the alleged incidents had reportedly been brought to the attention of school authorities as far back as March 2026, without meaningful action to protect the students.

She stressed that the allegations must be investigated thoroughly and that accountability should not be influenced by political affiliation, social standing or the position of anyone implicated.

“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she said.

The allegations have not been established, and the call for an investigation is intended to ensure that the facts are determined through due process.

Protect students from reprisals

Hawa Koomson expressed concern over reports of possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals against the students and their families.

She called for measures to protect the identities of the affected students, guarantee their safety and preserve their dignity throughout any investigative and judicial proceedings.

She also urged authorities to provide a safe and confidential environment for other potential victims to report similar experiences without fear of retaliation.

The National Women’s Organiser called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to work with child protection organisations and other relevant support groups to provide assistance to the students and their families.

The support, she said, should include professional counselling, trauma-informed psychological care, medical attention and other protective measures.

She further urged state institutions and civil society organisations to ensure that the welfare of the students remained central to every intervention.

GES urged to review safeguards

Beyond the immediate allegations, Hawa Koomson called on the GES to undertake a comprehensive review of child protection and safeguarding policies in schools.

She said the situation raised questions about reporting procedures, supervision, professional conduct and accountability within educational institutions.

She called for effective and enforceable systems to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation, respond promptly to complaints and protect students’ physical and psychological well-being.

Hawa Koomson said the best interests of the child must remain paramount, in line with the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).

“Our girls must feel safe, protected, respected and empowered within the very institutions established to nurture their potential and secure their future. No girl should ever be compelled to sacrifice her dignity, safety or fundamental rights in pursuit of education,” she said.

She also appealed to women across the country, particularly the Vice-President, to take a keen and sustained interest in the matter and use their influence to support efforts to secure justice for the affected students.

Call for national action

Hawa Koomson urged state institutions, traditional and religious leaders, child protection advocates and the general public to support a credible investigative process.

She said the matter went beyond political affiliations and institutional loyalties, describing the protection of children as a shared national responsibility.

“Justice must be pursued without fear or favour. Accountability must know no political boundaries, and the protection of our children must remain a shared national responsibility,” she said.