The number of sexual abuse complaints at Obuasi Senior High Technical School has risen to 19. Two education directors have been asked to step aside to allow investigations to proceed. Allegations that 38 teachers were targeted for transfers amid the scandal have raised concerns about retaliation against whistleblowers.
The controversy has also embroiled the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The party initially directed the accused headmaster to withdraw from a constituency chairmanship contest. It then reversed that decision citing natural justice and the presumption of innocence, only to instruct him to step aside once more. The headmaster has reportedly filed a GH¢2 million defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and Multimedia Group Limited.
Questions linger about the timing of complaints and institutional responses. Reports suggest complaints were made months ago, yet action appears delayed. Critics ask who knew what and when, and whether anyone will face accountability for failing to protect students.
Calls from civil society organisations have grown for a sex offenders’ register, mandatory background checks, and stronger safeguarding systems in schools. The challenge remains how to protect children without unfairly damaging reputations before guilt is established.
This scandal comes as Ghana confronts other public controversies. The government and opposition clash over GH¢49.72 million spent evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insists all funds have been accounted for. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority disputes this, pointing to discrepancies in passenger manifests, allowances, and supporting documents. They allege GH¢16.4 million of the expenditure is questionable.
JoyNews independently found errors in passenger records, including impossible birthdates. Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria acknowledged mistakes affecting 15 records but attributed them to passport expiry dates mistakenly entered instead of birthdates. The mission denied these errors indicate financial loss.
The cost of charter flights has sparked further scrutiny. Minority lawmakers question the reported US$750,000 price per flight for three flights. They have requested original contracts, airline invoices, and procurement records, pressing whether the flights were competitively procured and whether services matched the charges.
Meanwhile, the World Cup visa scandal has added another layer of controversy. A reported US$26,000 payment to police on behalf of suspended National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah is part of US$56,000 allegedly received as commission related to visa arrangements. Ampofo Ankrah denies wrongdoing. The nature of the payment remains unclear, with questions about who made it, under whose instructions, and whether it was a refund, recovery, or private settlement.
Investigations into alleged abuse of public office and financial irregularities involving public institutions and private intermediaries are ongoing. Authorities debate whether the Office of the Special Prosecutor should become involved alongside the Criminal Investigations Department.
The public faces three unresolved questions: whether institutions can protect the vulnerable, manage public funds transparently, and investigate allegations without bias. From Obuasi classrooms to evacuation accounts and visa controversies, demands for evidence-backed answers and accountability persist.
Newsfile’s latest edition will examine these issues live this Saturday on JoyNews channel and affiliated radio and streaming platforms.
According to Joy Online.
