Obuasi SHTS scandal: Gov’t to audit SHS regulations – Education Minister

The Ministry of Education is set to audit regulations in senior high schools across Ghana following allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and the school’s suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced the planned review at a media briefing on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the exercise would examine existing school regulations, identify implementation gaps and strengthen oversight of headteachers, teachers and students.

He said the allegations presented an opportunity for policymakers and education sector regulators to address weaknesses in school management and supervision and introduce measures to prevent similar incidents.

“The outrageous sexual abuse of many of our young girls as reported offers a golden opportunity for us policymakers and education sector regulators to address the issues at stake holistically and in a historical and factual dimension,” he stated.

Mr. Iddrisu disclosed that institutional records showed that similar concerns had been documented in previous years, indicating the need for a broader review beyond the immediate case.

“Indeed, this is not the first time this disgusting occurrence has taken place. Institutional records register similar malpractices going as far back as 2021,” he said.

As part of the planned exercise, the ministry will assess how school regulations are implemented and monitor the conduct of education officials and students. It will also gather feedback from relevant stakeholders to identify areas requiring improvement.

“Let’s stay calm. I can give the assurance as Minister for Education that we’ll audit school regulations and monitor the conduct and behaviours of Headteachers, Teachers and Students and also take feedback from all focal persons,” he stated.

The minister said the ministry would also engage parents and students to understand the challenges within existing school arrangements and develop measures to address them.

“We’ll move a step further to have discussions with parents and also students in order to identify the implementation gaps and bridge those gaps with no room for recurrence in the near and distant future,” he added.

The proposed audit follows public outrage over allegations involving 19 schoolgirls at Obuasi SHTS and the school’s now-suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. The case gained national attention after an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.

The allegations have renewed calls for stronger safeguards in schools, including effective supervision, accessible reporting channels for students and greater accountability for school authorities.

Mr. Iddrisu urged the public not to generalise the allegations to all senior high schools, stressing the need to address the case without unfairly stigmatising other institutions.

“Extreme as it is, I entreat the citizenry not to use the Obuasi Senior High Technical School incident to stereotype all schools as what pertains across board,” he stated.

The ministry’s planned review is expected to focus on identifying gaps in the implementation of school regulations and strengthening oversight to help protect students from abuse and misconduct. The allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.