By Jones Anlimah
Plan International Ghana has called for thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and the school’s headmaster.
The organisation is also demanding urgent reforms to strengthen child protection and safeguarding systems in schools across the country.
In a press statement, Plan International Ghana said the allegations raised serious concerns about the safety of children in schools, the abuse of positions of trust and the effectiveness of existing safeguarding mechanisms.
It stressed that schools must provide safe environments for learning and personal development, free from fear, exploitation and abuse.
The organisation said investigations into the allegations should go beyond possible dismissal or sanctions against the individual involved to establish the facts, protect affected students, examine possible institutional failures and prevent similar incidents.
Plan International Ghana is urging the Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the investigations are independent, impartial and sensitive to the needs of children.
It also wants authorities to investigate how earlier complaints, if any, were handled and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable in accordance with the law and due process.
On support for affected students, the organisation has called for confidential and trauma-informed psychosocial and healthcare services, appropriate legal assistance and continued educational support.
It further urged authorities to protect the identities of the students and prevent victim-blaming, stigmatisation, intimidation and retaliation.
Plan International Ghana is also calling for investigations into whether school management or education officials ignored, mishandled or suppressed complaints, insisting that safeguarding failures must attract consequences regardless of the position or influence of those involved.
The organisation has proposed the establishment of safe and confidential reporting channels for students and staff, alongside effective protection for teachers, students and whistle-blowers who report abuse.
It has also called for mandatory safeguarding and professional-boundaries training for teachers and school leaders, as well as strict enforcement of professional codes of conduct.
As part of broader reforms, Plan International Ghana wants a national review of how sexual abuse complaints in schools are reported, investigated and resolved.
The proposed review, it said, should identify gaps in existing policies and laws and lead to a time-bound national action plan with clear accountability measures.
The organisation cautioned that the case must not become another public scandal that fades without justice or meaningful reform, adding that dismissal alone would neither address institutional failures nor guarantee the safety of other students.
It also appealed to the media and the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected students and refrain from circulating identifying information or sensationalising their experiences.
Plan International Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe, inclusive and protective learning environments nationwide.
It said every child deserves to learn in an environment where their rights, dignity and wellbeing are protected.
