The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has appealed to media practitioners to refrain from revealing the identities of the alleged victims in the ongoing Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) sexual abuse case.
She cautioned that exposing the students risks causing them further trauma and could severely undermine ongoing investigations.
Speaking to journalists following a meeting with the school’s management, Dr Lartey disclosed that three of the alleged victims had voiced deep concerns after hearing their names broadcast on certain media platforms. She noted that this exposure has made the students hesitant to cooperate further with investigators out of fear of public identification.
The Minister highlighted that even when media outlets withhold students’ names during interviews, their colleagues can still recognize them by their voices. She stressed that preserving the privacy, dignity, and overall welfare of the affected students must remain a priority for journalists covering the story.
The case centers on allegations of sexual misconduct brought against the suspended headmaster of the institution, Zakaria Abdulai, involving female students. Dr Lartey reinforced that strict media caution and safeguarding the victims’ anonymity are crucial steps to ensuring a thorough investigation while protecting the young girls involved.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana