The Ghana Association of Social Workers (GASOW) has called for an impartial investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), urging authorities to prioritise the welfare of affected students and end the politicisation of the case.
The Association also called on the government and relevant education authorities to employ professionally trained social workers in senior high schools to strengthen child protection and provide students with safe, independent channels to report abuse.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Godfred Baah-Dwase, GASOW said the investigation must be survivor-centered, ensure accountability at all levels, and lead to practical reforms to improve safeguarding in Ghanaian schools.
It stressed that affected students must receive appropriate psychosocial, healthcare, counselling, and referral support while their identities and privacy are protected.
The Association further warned against intimidation, retaliation, stigma, and unnecessary repeated questioning of survivors, emphasising that no child should be blamed for abuse.
GASOW expressed concern that public and media discussions surrounding the allegations had increasingly focused on the alleged political affiliation of the accused, pushing the students at the centre of the case out of the conversation.
According to the Association, such discussions risk retraumatising survivors, exposing their identities, and discouraging other victims from reporting abuse.
“Abuse of authority over children has no party colour,” the statement said, urging political parties, communicators, commentators, and the public to stop exploiting the case for political advantage and allow the law to take its course.
The Association noted that students who wish to report abuse involving school authorities often lack safe reporting options, particularly when existing safeguarding arrangements fall within the same chain of authority as the person being accused.
It therefore urged the government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to establish independent social work offices in senior high schools.
GASOW also called for accessible and confidential reporting channels, prompt documentation and assessment of complaints, clear referral procedures, and defined consequences for proven misconduct or negligence.
It further proposed an independent review of safeguarding arrangements in schools, supported by a funded implementation plan covering professional staffing, training, monitoring, and accountability.
The Association reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government institutions, school authorities, civil society organisations, and development partners to strengthen child protection.
Reassuring affected students, GASOW said the abuse was not their fault and that they deserved protection and support.
“The priority is the safety, dignity, and best interests of every child, with fairness to all parties and justice through due process,” the statement said.
