Obuasi SHTS abuse allegations: Gender Ministry deploys team to support affected students

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has deployed an advance team to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to provide psychosocial and social welfare support to students affected by alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (OSECTEC).

The team, deployed on Wednesday, October 21, comprises officers from the Department of Social Welfare, the Domestic Violence Secretariat and the Department of Children.

According to a press release issued on Friday, October 23, its mandate is to assess the immediate and long-term protection, health, psychosocial and welfare needs of the affected students and coordinate interventions to support their recovery.

The team is engaging students, their families and relevant regional and district stakeholders, including education authorities, to identify gaps in available support services and coordinate an appropriate response.

The Ministry said the intervention would prioritise the students’ safety, dignity, privacy and confidentiality, with all engagements conducted in a sensitive, child-centred and trauma-informed manner to prevent further distress and stigmatisation.

Where necessary, the team will facilitate referrals to health facilities and specialised mental health and psychosocial support services. Medical assessments will be conducted by qualified health professionals in line with consent, confidentiality and child safeguarding requirements.

The Ministry warned that the effects of sexual abuse could extend beyond the immediate incident, potentially affecting children’s emotional and psychological well-being, education, self-confidence and future prospects. It therefore stressed the need for sustained care and support.

Beyond the immediate response, the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Police Service and other stakeholders to identify gaps in school safeguarding systems, strengthen preventive measures and improve mechanisms for reporting and responding to abuse.

It also urged the public to respect the privacy of the affected students and avoid actions or commentary that could expose them to further harm while investigations continue.

The Ministry reiterated that sexual abuse, exploitation and all forms of violence against children were unacceptable, adding that school authorities, teachers, parents, caregivers and the public had a shared responsibility to report suspected abuse promptly.

Members of the public can report suspected child abuse to the Ghana Police Service or seek assistance through the Ministry’s Helpline of Hope Call Centre and Orange Support Centre on 0800-800-800, 0800-900-900 or 0800-111-222. Support is also available via WhatsApp on 0551757575.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that affected students receive the care they need and to strengthening child protection systems across the country.