The Shame Belongs to the Abuser, Not the Survivor

The chilling revelation by the Gender Minister, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, that some of the female students allegedly abused at Obuasi Senior High and Technical School (SHTS) are contemplating suicide is a damning indictment of our collective conscience as a society.

It is a soul-searing tragedy that young girls, whose only “crime” was seeking an education, are now trapped in a nightmare where they feel death is a preferable alternative to the shame and stigma being heaped upon them. That these victims have regretted speaking out and now blaming themselves for the predatory actions of a person in authorityspeaks volumes about the rot in our social fabric.

The situation in Obuasi has moved beyond a mere criminal investigation; it is now a full-blown humanitarian crisis. The Minister’s account of families contemplating relocation because they are being ostracized rather than supported is abhorrent. Since when did the victim become the villain? Since when did we, as a community, become so morally bankrupt that we would rather protect the reputation of an accused predator than the lives of traumatized children?

The allegations that 19 girls were sexually abused by the very headmaster entrusted with their care are grave enough. But the subsequent behavior of the community is arguably more disturbing. We are witnessing a textbook case of victim-blaming, where the survivors are subjected to public ridicule and their families to economic and social isolation. This is exactly why many victims of sexual violence in Ghana never speak up. The system fails them, and the community buries them.

The suspended Headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, has promised that his account of events will “shock” Ghanaians. He points to the age and motherhood of one accuser as a defense. But regardless of a student’s age or background, a headmaster wields immense power. The relationship between an educator and a student is defined by a duty of care and a strict moral boundary. Any breach of that boundary, regardless of the circumstances, is an abuse of power.

Furthermore, his claims of having “the Committee has heard his story” offer little comfort. The court of public opinion is not the court of law, but the court of law must be allowed to function independently and without the cloud of intimidation that currently hangs over Obuasi. The reported threats, intimidation, and blackmail against those seeking justice are unacceptable and must be investigated with the same vigor as the initial allegations.

We echo the call by the opinion leaders of Obuasi for a careful and independent probe. But we go further: we demand protection for the victims. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection must do more than dialogue; they must provide immediate psychological support and safe spaces for these girls who are on the brink of self-harm.

This is a defining moment for the Obuasi community. They can choose to rally around the victims, ensuring they receive the justice and healing they deserve, or they can continue to point fingers until these children are utterly destroyed.

The abuser may have had the keys to the bungalow, but the community holds the key to these girls’ future. It is time to stop the stigma. It is time to stop the shame. It is time to stand with the girls.