Efforts by certain political figures to cover up for the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, who is currently embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal, have drawn fierce criticism from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, November 10, Mr Bagbin denounced politicians attempting to shield the embattled headmaster, describing their actions as the work of “cheap men.”
He cautioned political actors against interfering with ongoing proceedings, stressing that anyone caught attempting to subvert the process would face severe repercussions.
The Speaker expressed dismay over how some political leaders have downplayed the grave allegations, revealing that some had even attempted to back the suspect’s bid for a leadership position.
“It’s only cheap men who do that. You know? Yes. Please, let’s move away from that and do what is right. There is no society that has developed, to the best of my knowledge, by doing what is wrong. All the countries that you visit and you see they have developed; they have values that they treasure: integrity and honesty, very high,” Bagbin stated.
He maintained that Parliament remains vigilant over the matter to guarantee justice for the affected students.
“What saddened me was the attitude of politicians. They treated it as if nothing happened. And people even dared to try to support the suspect to contest for a leadership position. That is how offensive it has gone. And we should not encourage such things at all,” he noted.
Issuing a stern warning to political figures seeking to compromise the case, the Speaker added: “Some of us are still on the lookout. We are watching as to how this case is going to end. And those involved, particularly political leaders, if you joke with it, will punish you seriously because of this single case. We should take it very seriously. Leadership is a service, it is a sacrifice.”
In light of the incident, Mr Bagbin urged the Attorney General to consider legislative amendments that would impose harsher penalties to deter sexual abuse.
Updating Parliament on the state of the probe, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, revealed that the ministerial committee’s investigation into the matter is 85 per cent complete, with findings gathered so far pointing towards a possible prima facie case against Mr Abdulai.
Mr Iddrisu added that while the Ministry completes its internal inquiry, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is concurrently pursuing the criminal aspects of the alleged sexual assaults involving the students.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana