Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has promised trauma-informed support for 19 students affected by the alleged sexual abuse case at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), while announcing measures to protect students and make it easier for them to report abuse.
Speaking to the media about the case, the Minister said the government was committed to supporting the affected students and ensuring that those responsible for abusing them were dealt with.
“We will get trauma-informed support for victims, including the 19 affected students,” the Minister said.
He said he acted swiftly after JoyNews’ investigative correspondent, Manasseh Azure Awuni, brought the matter to his attention before making it public.
“Indeed, when Manasseh had the courtesy to share with me before going public, I did not hesitate after five minutes to act decisively on the matter, regardless of what the party affiliation of the affected person was,” he said.
The Minister commended Manasseh Azure Awuni and JoyNews for bringing the alleged abuse to public attention through his investigative report, ‘Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow’.
He said the journalist’s work had helped draw attention to the case, adding that efforts to establish the facts must follow the law and respect due process.
“We will work to protect whistleblowers and safeguard them, including journalists such as Manasseh Azure Awuni and many others,” he said.
“I should commend his initiative whilst we subject it to a litmus legal test, as due process requires of all persons,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Education was in discussions with telecommunications company MTN to establish a dedicated hotline for reporting abuse in schools.
He said the proposed hotline would allow students, parents, staff and members of the public to report cases and provide information that could assist investigations.
“We’re in touch with MTN to establish a hotline with the Ministry of Education to facilitate open reporting of these matters for us to assist with the investigation and deal ruthlessly and decisively with those who abuse our students,” he said.