Lydia Forson fumes over alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi school

Lydia Forson fumes over alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi school: ‘A child should not have to be exceptionally brave to be safe’

Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has expressed anger and frustration over allegations of sexual abuse involving a headmaster in Obuasi, questioning why concerns raised about the safety of children reportedly failed to trigger timely action.

In a strongly worded statement, the actress described the allegations as a reflection of a wider problem in which children are often left vulnerable to abuse by adults entrusted with their care.

Lydia Forson said the issue resonates with the experiences of many women who, from childhood, have had to navigate inappropriate touching, sexual harassment and abuse, sometimes within their own families and communities.

“It starts when you are a child. The uncle insisting you sit on his lap, the family “friend” touching you inappropriately in the name of playing with you; and sometimes, before you even have the words to explain what is happening, you learn the hard way that people will protect an adults reputation over your discomfort”..

According to her, the danger does not end when children leave home for school. Educational institutions, which should provide a safe environment for learning, can also expose them to harm when people in positions of authority abuse their trust.

“You leave home for school, where you are supposed to be safe, and encounter the same danger from someone entrusted with protecting you. Can you speak? No! And even if you do, who protects you?”

Forson questioned why an investigation by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni was needed before the alleged concerns received wider attention, arguing that institutions responsible for protecting children should not wait for public exposure before responding to reports of abuse.

“We keep telling girls to report abuse. But what happens after they report? Who stands beside them? Who makes sure they do not have to return to the very person they have accused?” she asked.

Lydia Forson argued that repeated exposure to such behaviour can lead some women to accept it as normal, allowing harmful attitudes to become entrenched in society.

“We are tired of having these conversations. Tired of asking adults to protect children. Tired of watching people find every explanation for an adult’s conduct while interrogating a child’s every decision. How can we speak so passionately about the length of a girl’s hair and struggle to summon the same passion for her right to attend school without being sexually harassed or abused?,” she quizzed.

She also stressed that boys can be victims of sexual abuse, cautioning parents and guardians against treating child protection as an issue that concerns only girls.

The actress’s statement adds her voice to the public conversation surrounding the allegations at the Obuasi school, with renewed calls for institutions, parents and authorities to take complaints seriously and prioritise the safety of children.