Education Minister promises protection for whistleblowers exposing school abuse

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pledged to introduce safeguards to protect students, school staff and journalists who report misconduct in educational institutions, following allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 schoolgirls at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mr. Iddrisu said the government would take steps to ensure that people who expose wrongdoing can report such incidents without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

The pledge follows an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, titled ‘Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow’, which brought allegations against the school’s suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, into the public domain.

Addressing the media, the minister identified the protection of whistleblowers as a key part of the government’s response, alongside criminal investigations, support for affected students and reforms to school safeguarding systems.

“Safeguards will be established for students, staff, or journalists (such as Manasseh Azure Awuni, who exposed the issue in his “Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow” investigative documentary) to in the future report misconduct safely without fear of intimidation or reprisal,” he stated.

Mr. Iddrisu said the government recognised the need to address the allegations through both immediate action and longer-term institutional changes.

He disclosed that the 19 affected students and other potential victims require psychological counselling, medical care and support to ensure their education continues without further disruption.

The minister also said the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service were considering the establishment of independent safeguarding offices in schools, with confidential reporting channels that would allow students to report misconduct without going through headteachers.

According to him,, the proposed arrangements could link directly to independent bodies, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Ghana Education Service. Telecommunications company MTN has indicated its readiness to work with the ministry and GES to establish a hotline.

Mr. Iddrisu further outlined possible mandatory reporting protocols for suspected abuse or inappropriate relationships involving teachers and students, alongside measures to strengthen oversight and hold school leadership accountable for failing to detect or report predatory behaviour.

The proposals follow public outrage over allegations of rape and sexual assault involving students at Obuasi SHTS. The Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department and DOVVSU are conducting investigations into the allegations against the suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

The minister assured the public that the investigations would be independent and transparent, with prosecution pursued without political interference.

“We give assurance of prosecution without political or Governmental interference,” he said.

Mr. Iddrisu said the government would also audit school regulations, monitor the conduct of headteachers, teachers and students, and engage parents and learners to identify gaps in existing safeguards.