Deputy Health Minister Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah has called for investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, to examine whether similar incidents occurred at other schools where he previously worked.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the allegations raised concerns about a possible pattern of behaviour and the need to establish whether there had been earlier incidents.
“I don’t think this will be the first time. It is worrying because what we are hearing today raises questions about whether there could be a pattern of behaviour. If you look at all the schools he has worked in, we need to establish whether there have been similar occurrences,” she said.
She said investigators should also establish whether school authorities had received previous complaints and how they responded to them.
“My concern is with the school authorities and everyone he has worked with over the years who may have known something but did not speak up. We need to understand whether this is the first time or whether there have been previous occurrences,” she added.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah also urged students to speak out against wrongdoing, noting that the allegations might not have come to light if students had not protested.
“If the students had not protested, it means we might never have known about this. I want to urge all students that if they see something going wrong, they should stand against it,” she said.
Her comments come amid calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations against Abdulai to establish the facts and determine whether further action is necessary.
