By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for due process in investigations into allegations of sexual abuse against Mr Zakaria Abdulai, Headmaster of the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), saying the matter is of serious concern to all.
“What I want to say at this point is that this is a very, very serious matter. It is a matter of concern to all of us,” she said.
“What I want to see is that we all allow the law to take its course, because this is a very serious matter, especially as it affects the lives of people, not only in the present, but also going into the future. So let us allow the law to take its course,” the Vice President added.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang made the remarks on Wednesday at the Jubilee Lounge of the Accra International Airport upon her arrival from an official trip to China.
She said she had followed developments surrounding the allegations while away from the country and had received reactions to the matter.
“We have also known what is going on in our country regarding the case of sexual assault. And I want all of you to be aware that I followed this even when we were away, and I have received some reactions,” she said.
The Vice President said she had taken note of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s actions concerning Mr Abdulai, who had sought to contest the party’s Juaben Constituency chairmanship election.
She also said she had seen a letter written by the NDC General Secretary and heard the response of the Minister for the Interior at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Tuesday.
The allegations were brought to public attention through an investigative documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, produced by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
Following the reports, the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai and requested a criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
The GES subsequently interdicted the headmaster pending investigations.
In a further administrative measure, the GES on Tuesday directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside to help ensure that the investigations proceeded without interference or the perception of interference.
The Interior Minister, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, told the PAC, on Tuesday, that the case had been transferred to the Police Headquarters in Accra for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Police have disclosed that the docket relating to a complaint lodged by a student on August 4 has been submitted to the Attorney-General for study and advice.
Investigations into the allegations continue.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage