On Monday, October 19, Angela Dwamena‑Aboagye, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, spoke on Joy News’ PM Express to denounce the public’s tendency to laugh at sexual abuse allegations. She said the amusement shown by people who should protect victims creates a culture that makes survivors feel invisible, discourages reporting and weakens institutional responses.
Dwamena‑Aboagye cited an investigative report by Manasseh Azure Awuni on alleged sexual abuse involving more than 14 female students and headmaster Zakaria Abdulai at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). She described the laughter heard during discussions of the incident as particularly disturbing, given the responsibility of adults and community leaders to safeguard young people.
She warned that sexual violence, ranging from harassment to assault and rape, is a global problem, but under‑reporting remains a major obstacle. She listed fear of disbelief, stigma, limited support services, guilt and lack of confidence in justice institutions as reasons survivors stay silent. She noted that close to 80 % of cases go unreported for these reasons.
According to Dwamena‑Aboagye, the effects of sexual abuse can follow survivors into adulthood, impairing their ability to work, maintain relationships and participate fully in society. She described these consequences as a public health cost to the country, urging society to recognise the seriousness and long‑term impact of sexual violence and to respond in ways that protect survivors rather than shame or dismiss them.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of the Obuasi SHTS allegations, with renewed calls for complaints to be treated seriously and investigated appropriately. The Ark Foundation’s statement underscores the need for a societal shift in how sexual abuse is perceived and addressed in Ghana.
