Gender Minister engages Obuasi SHTS authorities, community leaders over alleged sexual abuse

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has engaged authorities of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and community leaders on measures to protect students and support those affected by allegations of sexual abuse at the school.

The engagement focused on the welfare and safety of students, restoring trust within the school community and strengthening child protection systems to prevent similar incidents.

During the visit, Dr Lartey stressed that protecting children required more than the existence of laws and policies, emphasising the need for effective implementation, institutional collaboration and timely responses to concerns affecting their safety.

She assured that the Ministry would continue working with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant institutions to strengthen child protection structures and improve students’ access to counselling and other support services.

The Minister said the welfare of the affected students remained a priority as investigations into the allegations continued. She added that the Ghana Health Service was also involved in addressing their health needs as part of the coordinated response.

Dr Lartey further disclosed that the police were investigating the matter and assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

She stressed that affected students must receive the necessary support without being subjected to further victimisation.

As part of the visit, the Minister also met key community stakeholders, including religious leaders, traditional authorities, Parent-Teacher Association representatives, Assembly Members, civil society organisations and old students of the school.

She outlined steps taken by government institutions to address the matter and reaffirmed the Ministry’s coordinating role in ensuring a coordinated response.

Dr Lartey called on parents, guardians and the public to report wrongdoing and raise concerns about the safety and welfare of children, noting that child protection was a shared responsibility involving families, schools, communities and state institutions.

She also appealed to media practitioners to exercise restraint when reporting cases involving children, particularly those relating to sexual abuse.

The Minister expressed concern that the publication of some affected students’ full names had caused distress to their families and made further engagement more difficult.

She urged the media to protect the identities and dignity of the children, stressing that responsible reporting was essential to safeguarding their welfare and supporting efforts to address the allegations.

Meanwhile, continuing students have started returning to the school, with measures being taken to strengthen security and rebuild trust between students and teachers.

The Minister appealed to parents and students to cooperate with school authorities as efforts continue to restore a safe and conducive learning environment.

The visit also involved the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, whose participation highlighted the importance of collaboration between the education sector and child protection institutions.

Dr Lartey reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting children in schools, homes, churches and communities, and said the Ministry would continue working with relevant institutions to support affected students and strengthen child protection arrangements.