PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release:
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL, GHANA CONDEMNS ALLEGED ABUSE AT OBUASI SHTS AND CALLS FOR JUSTICE FOR THE GIRLS
Soroptimist International (SI – Ghana) has watched with profound distress the Hotline documentary by Investigative Journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, _“Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow,”_ which reports serious allegations of rape and sexual assault against Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS).
*We wish to state clearly that Mr. Zakaria Abdulai has not been found guilty of the offence. The allegations against him are currently under criminal investigation by the Ghana Police Service – CID and DOVVSU. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.*
The documentary alleges a deeply troubling pattern where female students were lured to the headmaster’s bungalow, abused, and threatened into silence, and that earlier reports made by students and the Girl Child Coordinator were not acted upon.
As a global service organisation of women working to educate, empower and enable women and girls, we state:
1. *We stand with the learners:* While this case involves girls, our call for safety protects *all children – girls and boys.* Every child has the right to be safe in school. We stand in solidarity with the students of Obuasi SHTS who have shown immense courage. They must receive immediate psychosocial support, legal aid, protection from retaliation, and strict confidentiality.
2. *We demand thorough investigation and prosecution:* We welcome the interdiction by the Ghana Education Service and the referral to the CID by the Minister of Education. Rape and sexual assault are serious crimes. We call on DOVVSU, CID, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, CHRAJ and the Legal Aid Commission to ensure a swift, victim-sensitive investigation and to prosecute, if the evidence warrants.
3. *We call for systemic reform to protect children in schools:* The failure to act on early complaints is a systemic failure. We join NETRIGHT and other women’s rights organisations to call on MOE and GES to:
a) Ensure any adult who has sexual contact with a learner is prosecuted and permanently barred from the GES and any teaching appointment;
b) End the practice of transferring accused teachers;
c) Prohibit the use of students as domestic help in staff homes;
d) Publish data on sexual misconduct in schools and actions taken;
e) Ensure every school has a trained, dedicated Officer in charge of Child Protection and Safeguarding – to receive complaints confidentially, act promptly, and link victims to support services.
The education of a girl is the empowerment of a nation. When a child’s safety in school is violated, their future is stolen. We cannot accept a culture of silence and impunity, especially when victims are poor, ordinary children facing powerful figures.
We appeal to the media and public to see every victim as a sister or daughter and refrain from the unethical practice of revealing the identities of alleged victims.
Soroptimist International, Ghana will continue to monitor this case and stand with the students of Obuasi SHTS and all survivors of sexual violence until justice is done.
Dedo Mate-Kodjo
President, Accra Club
Vivien Akumia
President, Kumasi Club
Googie Nunoo
President Tema Club
Dr, Lady Baaba Allotey
President, Drussia -Takoradi Club
28th October, 2026
The Soroptimist International Ghana comprises the Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Drussia -Takoradi Clubs. These Clubs represent the local chapters of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization for professional and business women who work to improve the lives of women and girls.
Mission & Vision
- Mission: Transform the lives and status of women and girls via education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities.
- Vision: Women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations, and hold equal voices in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide
Core Principles & Objectives
Soroptimist International operates around key guiding principles and objectives to support gender equality:
- Advancement of Women: Striving for the advancement of the status of women and girls.
- Education & Economic Empowerment: Providing access to education, training, and resources so women and girls can achieve social and economic independence.
- Ending Violence & Discrimination: Advocating for human rights, gender equality, and environments free from discrimination or violence
- Health & Well-being: Expanding access to healthcare, mental health support, and reproductive autonomy.
- International Peace & Goodwill: Fostering high ethical standards, international understanding, and global cooperation
For more information, visit https://soroptimistgh
