‘What else do we want before taking action?’ – Abena Osei Asare questions police’s handling of Obuasi SHTS case

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Abena Osei Asare, has questioned the Ghana Police Service’s handling of the alleged sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Swnior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, expressing concern that no arrest had been made despite claims that evidence was available.

The Atiwa East MP said the apparent delay in taking action is troubling, particularly because the allegations involved a criminal offence and had reportedly been circulating since June.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, she contrasted the police response with instances in which people are arrested following reports of alleged wrongdoing, arguing that the same urgency should apply to cases involving sexual abuse.

“It is interesting that in an incident of such nature, during my interview with the Interior Minister yesterday on the Public Accounts Committee, he revealed that they have some form of evidence and even some exhibits in their possession.

“Yet we are in this country where the Ghana Police, based on a mere report and without going further to investigate, arrest a person,” she said.

Mrs Osei Asare expressed concern that, despite the seriousness of the allegations, the case had reportedly lingered for months without an arrest.

“Yet this is of a sexual nature, which is a criminal offence. It has been lingering since June, and the Ghana Police say they have not done anything about it,” she stated.

She said the Interior Minister had indicated that the matter came to his attention on September 7, although the issue had reportedly been ongoing before then.

The MP further pointed to information about exhibits said to be available to investigators, including a dress reportedly containing semen, which the Interior Minister indicated was being sent to a laboratory for examination.

“The Interior Minister said there is evidence of the dress containing semen, and they are taking it to the lab to check. So, what else do we want before action is taken?” she asked.

Mrs Osei Asare argued that where allegations of a criminal nature are reported, the police must investigate promptly and take the necessary steps in accordance with the law.

She also referred to audio recordings and investigative material relating to the case, which she said raised further concerns about how the allegations had been handled.

The MP stressed that the availability of potential evidence should prompt a thorough investigation to establish the facts and determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

Her comments add to growing calls for a more decisive response from Ghana police to allegations of sexual abuse involving schoolchildren, with particular emphasis on protecting victims and ensuring accountability.

The allegations and claims about the investigation require verification by the relevant authorities, while any suspect remains entitled to due process under the law.