The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana National Chapter, has expressed profound alarm over allegations of sexual abuse involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and the headmaster of the institution.
In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Dr. Charity Binka, AWLN Ghana called for an urgent, thorough and impartial investigation, accountability wherever wrongdoing is established, and decisive action to strengthen the protection of girls in all educational institutions.
According to the Network, the allegations strike at the very heart of the duty of care owed to every child and raise serious questions about the safety of girls in schools, the exercise of authority and the effectiveness of systems established to protect students.
“A school must never become a place where girls fear those entrusted with their education, where authority becomes a source of vulnerability, or where complaints of abuse are met with silence or inaction,” the statement said.
AWLN Ghana said it is particularly concerned by reports that complaints about the alleged misconduct may have been brought to the attention of relevant authorities long before the matter attracted wider public attention.
The Network is demanding 7 concrete actions:
1. A thorough, transparent and impartial investigation
2. Accountability at every level
3. Immediate protection and support for affected students including psychosocial support
4. Safe, accessible and confidential reporting channels for students
5. Mandatory safeguarding training and stronger oversight for teachers
6. A nationwide commitment to prevention by MoE and GES
7. Recognition that protecting girls is a collective and legal responsibility
AWLN Ghana called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Police Service and all relevant child protection authorities to ensure the matter receives the seriousness, urgency and independence it deserves.
“Our girls are not expendable. Their safety is not negotiable. Their rights are not optional. And their protection cannot wait,” the statement concluded.
