New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Women’s Organiser Mavis Hawa Koomson has called for a swift, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students of Obuasi Senior High School (SHS).

In a statement issued on October 19, 2026, Koomson said she was shocked and saddened by media reports, including an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, concerning alleged sexual misconduct involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

According to reports cited in the statement, about 19 female students have recounted alleged incidents of rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of abuse.

Koomson expressed concern over claims that some of the incidents were reported to school authorities as far back as March 2026, but allegedly failed to receive meaningful attention or action to protect the students.

She said any failure by school authorities to act, if established, would constitute serious negligence and a breach of their duty to safeguard students.

The former minister urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that anyone implicated faces the appropriate legal processes where sufficient evidence exists.

“A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she stated.

She also called for measures to protect the identities and safety of the alleged victims and their families amid reports of possible intimidation, victimisation and reprisals.

Koomson appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to collaborate with child protection organisations to provide the affected students with professional counselling, psychological support, medical care and other necessary assistance.

She further called for a comprehensive review of safeguarding policies and reporting procedures in schools to strengthen accountability and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation.

The NPP National Women’s Organiser urged the Vice President, women’s groups, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and religious leaders to support efforts to protect the students and ensure justice.

Emphasising the need to prioritise children’s welfare, Koomson cited the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), and stressed that the best interests of the child must remain paramount.

She concluded that accountability must be pursued without fear or favour, insisting that schools must remain safe environments where students can learn and develop without compromising their dignity or fundamental rights.