“She Is the Highest Woman in a Position of Leadership; She Must Use Her Position to Help Women and Girls” – Otiko Djaba to Vice President

Former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba, has called on Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to take a more active role in addressing issues affecting women and girls, particularly the alleged sexual abuse of students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).

Speaking on Adom FM, Djaba said the Vice President, as the highest-ranking woman in Ghana’s political leadership, had a responsibility to use her position to advocate for women and girls.

“She [Vice President] is the highest woman to date in a position of leadership and decision-making. She attained this feat to be able to represent women in the country, and so, she must be able to use her position effectively to help girls and women,” she said.

Her comments come amid allegations of sexual misconduct involving 19 female students at Obuasi SHTS by the school’s former headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.

Djaba urged the Vice President to ensure the allegations were thoroughly investigated and that the case was not covered up.

“She has to be very firm to make sure what has happened will never repeat itself. She has the right to speak to the press and issue statements, but the actions to ensure that the investigations are ongoing properly are what is needed, and she must be able to put her foot down,” she added.

She also called for psychological support for the affected students, stressing that their emotional well-being must be prioritised alongside the investigation.

“Nothing should be swept under the carpet. She should make sure the affected female students receive psychological support. The mental anguish of somebody touching you in a way that you know is unacceptable and a taboo must be dealt with,” she said.

Djaba further questioned what she described as the lack of visible action by the Vice President on issues affecting women since she assumed office.

“Vice President, this is a serious call to action. Since she came to power, we haven’t seen what she has done for women. She must stand firm and make sure the female students get the needed help as well as ensure their education isn’t affected by what has happened,” she concluded.