Obuasi SHTS abuse: Education Minister promises trauma support for 19 students

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pledged trauma-informed care for the 19 students affected by the alleged sexual abuse scandal at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), while announcing plans to strengthen student protection and create safer channels for reporting abuse.

Speaking to the media on the case, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the affected students and ensuring that anyone found responsible is held accountable.

“We will get trauma-informed support for victims, including the 19 affected students,” he said.

Mr. Iddrisu disclosed that he took immediate action after JoyNews investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni informed him of the allegations before making them public.

He said he acted decisively within five minutes of receiving the information, regardless of the political affiliation of those involved.

The Minister praised Manasseh Azure Awuni and JoyNews for exposing the alleged abuse through the investigative report, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.

He noted that the investigation had brought the matter to public attention but stressed that efforts to establish the facts must comply with the law and respect due process.

Mr. Iddrisu also pledged to protect whistleblowers, including journalists who expose wrongdoing.

Additionally, he revealed that the Ministry of Education was engaging telecommunications company MTN to establish a dedicated hotline for reporting abuse in schools.

The proposed hotline would enable students, parents, school staff and members of the public to report incidents and share information to support investigations.

He said the government was determined to make reporting easier and ensure decisive action against anyone found to have abused students.