A second complainant in the alleged sexual abuse case against Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), is reportedly facing pressure to drop her complaint. Police sources at Bekwai confirmed to JoyNews that the first of two former rape complainants had already withdrawn her case, raising concerns about intimidation and the safety of students pursuing justice.
The father of the second complainant said a traditional ruler in the Obuasi area intervened, urging the family to settle the matter outside court. Nana Yaw Anning II, the Bekwai chief, confirmed receiving a delegation in August that approached him about the controversy. He described the visit in detail but denied pressuring anyone to withdraw complaints.
“In August, while I was at home, I received a visit from four individuals, one of whom was my subject. They explained that their visit concerned a student at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. They said the headmaster’s actions had brought disgrace to the school,” Nana Anning said.
He added that he informed them the case was under investigation and promised to consider their appeal further. Before leaving, the visitors gave him 200 cedis to buy schnapps. The chief’s account confirms the delegation’s visit but does not confirm any pressure to withdraw complaints.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said her ministry was working with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Health Service. Their focus is on ensuring proper procedures are followed in handling the students’ cases.
“Our intervention is to go back to correct some of those things, and as to pressure being mounted on the girls not to report, I will give you information on that when we find the data speaking to that,” Dr Lartey said.
She added that the ministry was coordinating with relevant agencies to provide appropriate screening and support for the students, with parental or guardian consent where required.
“But what I can tell you is that some of the protocols that needed to be followed, the ministry is working, especially with DOVVSU and the Ghana Health Service to ensure that they go back to, you know, report appropriately, get to follow the health protocols to ensure screening, get the consent of parents and guardians, so that we’ll be able to get the right protocols followed to ensure that the girls are safe,” she said.
The withdrawal of one complainant and the reported pressure on the other has renewed debate about the protection of students who bring forward sexual abuse allegations. Questions remain about the role of community leaders and the adequacy of safeguards for victims in such cases.
The police have not publicly commented on the withdrawal beyond confirming it to JoyNews. There is no official statement on whether any investigation will address possible interference in the case.
The Obuasi SHTS headmaster was under investigation after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced earlier this year. The case attracted significant attention given the school’s profile and the nature of the accusations.
The involvement of a traditional ruler and the reported push for an out-of-court settlement reflect ongoing tensions between customary authority and formal legal processes in Ghana. Nana Anning’s account confirms the delegation’s visit but stops short of admitting any undue influence.
The minister’s statements suggest a cautious approach by government agencies, emphasizing protocol and support services while indicating that data on possible intimidation is still being gathered.
This case continues to unfold amid growing calls for transparency and protection for students who report abuse in educational institutions.
According to Joy Online.
