The Ashanti Regional Women’s Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the relevant authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against the headmaster of Obuasi Secondary Technical School, Mr Zakaria Abdulai, following reports of alleged sexual abuse involving female students.
In a statement signed by the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, Beatrice Owusu, the group expressed shock over the allegations and urged authorities to take the necessary disciplinary and legal action without delay.
The women’s wing said the reports had raised serious concerns among parents and the general public, stressing the need for a swift response in accordance with the law and due process.
It also expressed sympathy for the family of the female student reportedly involved in the incident and extended its support to other girls who may have experienced similar abuse.
“The women’s wing stands with these young girls in these trying times and is ready to offer its motherly and professional support if need be,” the statement said.
The group further alleged that there had been repeated reports of sexual abuse against Mr Abdulai over the past year, which it claimed had not received the necessary attention from educational authorities and law enforcement agencies.
It expressed concern about what it described as the unimpressive handling of both previous and current reports, while questioning whether the alleged failures could be linked to the headmaster’s political affiliation.
Mr Abdulai is identified in the statement as the incumbent Constituency Secretary and an aspiring constituency chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Juaben.
The NPP women’s wing, however, commended the Ghana Education Service (GES) for interdicting the headmaster and called on the service to pursue the matter through the criminal justice system.
According to the group, criminal prosecution, where supported by evidence and the law, would help ensure accountability and deter other education workers from exploiting female students.
It emphasised that protecting the dignity and future of girls required the effective enforcement of laws designed to safeguard them against sexual abuse.
The statement concluded with an appeal for political considerations to be set aside in addressing the allegations.
“Let us put the interest of our young ones above our political interest!” it stated.
The allegations against Mr Abdulai have not been independently established in the statement. Any criminal liability would have to be determined through the appropriate legal process.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
