By Emelia B. Addae
Suhum (E/R), Nov. 8, GNA – A female student of an Islamic senior high school at Suhum has allegedly been raped by five men who entered the school through a damaged section of its perimeter wall.
The incident occurred at about 1800 hours on Saturday, September 26, raising concerns about security at the school and the safety of students.
According to a police statement by a teacher, Fatimatu Quedraogo Ahmadtsou, the student had gone to a classroom in the school’s 12-unit block to collect her books.
She said three men allegedly grabbed the student, threatened her with a knife and dragged her through a broken section of the school wall into a nearby bush.
The teacher said the student later told her that three men sexually assaulted her, while two others assisted them.
In her statement to the police, the teacher said she was preparing to pray at about 1945 hours when she overheard people discussing the incident.
“I immediately went out to make further enquiries,” she said.
The teacher said the student told her she screamed for help because she could hear other students in nearby rooms. However, nobody responded to her cries.
She said the student also reported that the attackers had deliberately damaged the wall to gain access to the school compound.
“They also asked her whether students sleep in the classroom,” the teacher recounted in her statement.
One of the alleged attackers reportedly told the others that he would check whether he could abduct another student.
The teacher said she informed the assistant head responsible for domestic affairs. Two male teachers and a security guard later joined them.
She said the student’s body and clothing showed signs of a struggle.
The teachers also noticed bloodstains on the student’s underwear, prompting further enquiries about the incident.
The student was later taken to the Suhum Government Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
A medical report available to the GNA from the hospital documented her account of vaginal and anal penetration.
It indicated that three men allegedly carried out the assault, while two others accompanied them.
The report said the student was conscious and alert but showed signs of acute emotional distress.
Medical examination revealed active vaginal bleeding, bruising around the vaginal opening and multiple fresh hymenal tears.
The report also recorded threats involving a knife and verbal intimidation. No semen was visible during the examination.
The hospital’s laboratory report showed negative results for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen and pregnancy tests.
The teacher said she received a telephone call from the hospital at about 2325 hours on Saturday.
However, she could not report the incident to the police immediately because it was late.
She said she returned to the hospital with the student and another staff member the following morning.
They went for medication and collected a copy of the medical report.
The matter was subsequently reported to the Suhum Police on Sunday, September 27, according to the teacher’s statement.
Meanwhile, checks by the Ghana News Agency with the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) revealed that the matter had been referred to the Regional Disciplinary Committee.
The committee is expected to conduct a formal hearing and take appropriate action.
The circumstances surrounding the incident raise concerns about security at the school, particularly the damaged perimeter wall.
Questions also remain about how the attackers allegedly gained access and why the damage was not addressed before the incident.
The documents available to the GNA did not establish whether the police had arrested any suspects or identified the alleged perpetrators.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Email: [email protected]