Obuasi SHTS abuse allegations: Gender Ministry deploys team to support affected students

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has deployed an advance team to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to provide psychosocial and social welfare support to students affected by alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (OSECTEC). The team, deployed on Wednesday, October 21, comprises officers from the Department of Social Welfare, the Domestic Violence Secretariat and the Department of Children. According to a press release issued on Friday, October 23, its mandate is to assess the immediate and long-term protection, health, psychosocial and welfare needs of the affected students and coordinate interventions to support their recovery.

The team is engaging students, their families and relevant regional and district stakeholders, including education authorities, to identify gaps in available support services and coordinate an appropriate response. The Ministry said the intervention would prioritise the students’ safety, dignity, privacy and confidentiality, with all engagements conducted in a sensitive, child-centred and trauma-informed manner to prevent further distress and stigmatisation. Where necessary, the team will facilitate referrals to health facilities and specialised mental health and psychosocial support services. Medical assessments will be conducted by qualified health professionals in line with consent, confidentiality and child safeguarding requirements. The Ministry warned that the effects of sexual abuse could extend beyond the immediate incident, potentially affecting children’s emotional and psychological well-being, education, self-confidence and future prospects. It therefore stressed the need for sustained care and support. Beyond the immediate response, the Ministry is working with the Ministry of…