The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has appealed to media organisations to protect the identities of students involved in the alleged sexual abuse case at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), warning that exposure could undermine ongoing investigations.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, October 26, 2026, after engaging school authorities, the minister disclosed that three alleged victims had expressed concerns after hearing their full names mentioned on media platforms.
According to Dr Lartey, the disclosures have made some of the students reluctant to continue engaging with investigators because they fear being identified by others.
She explained that concealing names and faces may not be sufficient, as some students could still be recognised by their classmates through their voices during media interviews.
“The media has not helped the case,” she said, describing the difficulties authorities have encountered while trying to engage the affected students and their families.
The minister also expressed concern about media practitioners persistently approaching the students for interviews, stressing that they should not be pressured to recount their experiences publicly.
She urged journalists to explore alternative ways of reporting the case without directly exposing the children to further distress.
Dr Lartey said protecting the students’ privacy was essential to safeguarding their dignity, encouraging their cooperation with investigators and ensuring that efforts to secure justice were not compromised.
The case involves allegations of sexual misconduct against the school’s suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. The allegations remain under investigation.
