Concerns over confidentiality and media intrusion have dealt a major setback to state interventions following allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in Ghana.
Three of the female students involved in the case have withdrawn from engagements led by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. The decision followed intense media coverage and fears that their identities were being compromised by persistent journalists and public speculation.
National outrage over bungalow allegations
The controversy erupted after investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni released a documentary titled “Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow,” which detailed allegations of systemic sexual abuse and harassment involving up to 19 female students over a two-year period. The allegations directly implicated the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, who has since been interdicted by the Ministry of Education while investigations continue.
According to initial reports, local education authorities had received multiple complaints regarding the headmaster as early as March 2026, though administrative delays left those complaints unaddressed for months. The matter escalates as the case has been forwarded to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Attorney-General’s Office.
Media harassment and secondary trauma
Gender Minister Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey publicly expressed deep concern over the breakdown of victim privacy, noting that invasive media inquiries have severely impacted the students and their families.
“Protecting the identities, dignity, and welfare of the alleged victims is essential to ensuring their safety and encouraging cooperation with the ongoing process,” Dr Lartey stated, warning that aggressive coverage risks re-traumatising young survivors and discouraging future whistleblowers from coming forward.
Reports indicate that some families are even considering relocating to avoid severe social stigma and persistent media approaches.
As the Attorney-General reviews the case, public attention remains focused on ensuring justice while protecting the long-term mental health and dignity of the affected students.
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