The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has met with students affected by the alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), assuring them of the government’s support as authorities work to address the matter.

The engagement allowed the Minister to hear the students’ concerns and discuss measures to safeguard their welfare, dignity and emotional well-being as investigations into the allegations continue.

Dr Lartey stressed that the affected students must be treated with sensitivity and respect, emphasising the need to protect them from further distress, stigma, and victimisation.

She said the Ministry would work closely with the relevant institutions to ensure that the students receive appropriate assistance based on their individual circumstances.

The Minister also underscored the importance of maintaining confidentiality and adopting a coordinated approach to supporting the students throughout the process.

The engagement forms part of a wider intervention by the Ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct involving 19 female students and the school’s suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

The allegations have triggered public concern and calls for accountability and stronger safeguards for students.

As part of its response, the Ministry has deployed an advance team comprising officers from the Department of Social Welfare, the Domestic Violence Secretariat and the Department of Children to engage the affected students and their families, assess their needs and coordinate appropriate support.

The intervention is expected to complement efforts by the Ghana Education Service (GES), social welfare officers, health professionals, and law enforcement agencies to protect the students and ensure access to appropriate medical and psychosocial care.

The case has also raised concerns about protecting the identities of the students.

The Minister has previously appealed to media organisations to exercise caution in their reporting, warning that revealing identifying details could expose the students to stigma, further distress and victimisation, and discourage them from cooperating with investigators.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is investigating the allegations, which remain subject to due process.

The Gender Ministry has reiterated its commitment to working with relevant institutions to uphold children’s rights, strengthen safeguarding systems and ensure that schools provide safe environments for learning and development.