EduWatch Programmes Director, Kwasi Nimo Jnr. says the Obuase SHTS sexual harassment scandal is bigger than reported and exposes systemic failure by Ghana Education Service to protect students.
Speaking on the chronology of the case involving headmaster Zakaria Abdulai, Nimo revealed that contrary to reports of 5 victims, investigative work by journalist Manasseh has uncovered 44 student victims.
According to him, the headteacher at the center of the scandal was only transferred from Juaben to Obuase SHTS in 2025, questioning GES’s common practice of merely transferring teachers who violate students’ rights to other schools in different geographical areas.
“GES has a sexual harassment policy but they are not using it,” he lamented.
He disclosed a disturbing pattern of cover-ups:
In February 2026, the school’s own Girl Child Coordinator and Safeguarding Officer petitioned management after five girls reported alleged sexual harassment.
The case was escalated to the Municipal Education Directorate in March 2026, but nothing was done.
Even more shocking, Nimo said some students who reported the abuse to the focal person in the school were victimized, and the focal person himself was transferred from the school for announcing the issue.
“There have been previous documented petitions that have been swept under the carpet of GES,” he said, insisting “this issue goes beyond the Obuase SHTS incident.”
He questioned why students are being turned into servants for teachers in second cycle institutions.
Mr. Nimo entreated all parents and guardians whose wards are in second cycle institutions to keep and use the Ministry of Gender’s hotline for reporting sexual harassment: 0800 800 800.
