Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has warned political leaders not to shield or interfere in the case of the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving students.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, Mr Bagbin said he was disappointed that some politicians had treated the allegations as though nothing had happened, Citi Newsroom and MyJoyOnline reported.
"What saddened me was the attitude of politicians. They treated it as if nothing happened. And people even dared to try to support the suspect to contest for a leadership position," he said, according to Citi Newsroom. He did not name anyone.
"It's only cheap men who do that," the Speaker added. "There is no society that has developed, to the best of my knowledge, by doing what is wrong."
He said Parliament was watching the case closely. "Some of us are still on the lookout. We are watching as to how this case is going to end. And those involved, particularly political leaders, if you joke with it, will punish you seriously because of this single case," he said. He also urged the Attorney-General to consider reviewing the law to introduce stiffer penalties for sexual abuse offences.
Probe 85 per cent complete
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told the House the same day that the committee set up on October 14 to investigate the allegations was "85% complete with its investigation". He said the evidence so far suggested a prima facie case for prosecution, which he expected to start shortly, Citi Newsroom and 3News reported. The Police Criminal Investigations Department is handling the criminal side of the case.
According to 3News, 19 students are reported to have made allegations. That figure dates from October 18, when JoyNews investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who investigated the allegations, first reported it. The Ghana Education Service interdicted the headmaster on October 14. 3News reports that he is on police inquiry bail and denies the allegations.
Coalition calls for independent inquiry
Separately, the Domestic Violence Coalition has called for an independent, survivor-centred investigation, including into whether earlier complaints were ignored or mishandled. In a statement signed by its secretary, Deborah Tayo Akakpo, it said: "Accountability must extend beyond individual perpetrators to those who may have enabled, concealed, or failed to act on reports of abuse."
The coalition also asked state agencies to give affected students psychosocial, medical, legal and educational support, and to protect their identities.