By Our Democracy News GH
October 21, 2026
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra has taken over investigations into sexual abuse allegations involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed.
Mr Muntaka said he directed that the case be moved from the regional level to the national headquarters to ensure a thorough investigation into the allegations involving female students.
Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the minister said the matter came to his attention on September 7, prompting his decision to escalate it to the national level.
“As we speak, the matter is at the police headquarters being handled,” he told the committee.
The minister disclosed that the suspect had been arrested and had given a statement to investigators, while police continued gathering evidence to establish the facts of the case.
He added that investigators were pursuing DNA evidence but explained that a court order was required before the relevant tests could be conducted.
Mr Muntaka’s disclosure followed concerns from the committee’s chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, about the pace of the investigation and the handling of allegations involving female students.
Ms Osei-Asare questioned why the case had remained unresolved for months despite the seriousness of the allegations. She also expressed concern that the headmaster had been able to pursue another political position while the investigation remained ongoing.
The minister assured the committee that the case would not be abandoned and that investigators would pursue it in accordance with the law.
“I have absolute trust in her that this matter will not be swept. It will travel the full length, and it will be dealt with in accordance with law,” he said, referring to the leadership of the CID.
Mr Muntaka, however, emphasised the need to respect due process and the constitutional presumption of innocence, noting that the suspect must be treated in accordance with the law until guilt is established.
He also highlighted broader challenges in addressing sexual abuse allegations in educational institutions, saying some cases were handled at the local level without being escalated to higher authorities.
According to the minister, the government has been working with the Ministries of Education and Gender to develop a coordinated response to sexual abuse, including improved reporting mechanisms and stronger collaboration among state institutions.
He added that the government was considering support measures for the girls affected by the alleged abuse, including assistance to help them recover from the trauma.
Mr Muntaka stressed that addressing such cases requires both effective investigations and support for those affected, alongside measures to ensure that allegations of criminal conduct are handled through the appropriate legal channels.
The transfer of the Obuasi SHTS case to CID headquarters places the national police investigation at the centre of efforts to establish the facts and determine the appropriate next steps.
