GES Defends Interdiction of Obuasi SHTS Headmaster Over Alleged Sexual Misconduct
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has defended its decision to interdict the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), explaining that the move is intended to prevent any interference with investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving students.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, said the decision was necessary to safeguard the investigation and protect students from possible intimidation or pressure that could affect the gathering of evidence.
Mr Fenyi maintained that sexual relationships between teachers and underage students cannot be considered consensual because minors are not legally or mentally positioned to give informed consent.
“There is nothing like consensual when it comes to a teacher-student relationship involving an underage child. The child is not in a position to give informed consent,” he said.
He disclosed that reports and rumours about the alleged misconduct had been circulating for approximately three to four months. However, the Service could not take disciplinary action based solely on claims that had not been verified.
According to him, the situation became more serious after protests by students led to the temporary closure of the school. The allegations also attracted wider public attention following the release of a documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
Mr Fenyi explained that the headmaster had appeared before the GES even before the documentary was made public. He added that the footage released subsequently provided further information that supported the sequence of events and allegations under investigation.
He said the Service decided to interdict the headmaster to allow investigations to proceed without possible obstruction.
“We had to interdict him while the investigation is ongoing to protect the process. We need to ensure that he does not interfere by threatening students, hiding documents or withholding information that could assist the investigation,” he explained.
The GES spokesperson stressed that the interdiction was a precautionary measure aimed at protecting the investigation while officials worked to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
The controversy has raised concerns among parents and students, particularly following reports of demonstrations and the temporary closure of Obuasi SHTS, which has disrupted teaching and learning.
Meanwhile, John Kwaku Bobena, the father of one of the students allegedly affected, has expressed concern about the consequences of the school’s closure for his daughter, who was preparing to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Mr Bobena has appealed to the GES to arrange alternative placements for students affected by the disruption to ensure they can continue their education.
He warned that his daughter could be compelled to abandon her schooling and assist him on his cocoa farm if arrangements are not made for her to continue her studies at another school.
